Walsall vs Newport County: Match preview - Hard work remains the bedrock of Saddlers' rise

Walsall climbed nine points clear at the league summit with a fifth win on the spin over Doncaster Rovers at Bescot on Boxing Day. They will be chasing a sixth consecutive league win for the first time since a run of seven under Paul Merson in 2005 (five in 2004-05 and two in 2005-06). 

Sadler will also be looking to become the first Walsall boss to win six league games in a row in a single season since Tommy Coakley in Division Three (now League One) in April 1987.

Walsall, who are unbeaten in 12 league games, have also not conceded for 360 minutes in League Two and will be searching for a fifth successive league shutout for the first time since a streak of six in February 1975. 

"Our players have had different journeys but all underpinned by that hunger which is what I've always wanted. They're all hungry football players and people that are desperate to do well, get better and improve," Sadler noted on the key to Walsall's early season success.

"I have remained consistent with that since the first day that we spoke and these are some of the guys that are doing that for us. 

"Their hunger and appetite for the work is a joy to coach and watch. We can't stop, we just can't stop. Everything that we do is as a team and I said before the game to our strikers that I ask so much of them for the team. 

"And they deliver, they give us everything that they've got. They empty the tank in every single game so I'm going to keep asking of them because they give me every single ounce."

Opponents Newport have had mixed fortunes either side of Christmas after dismantling MK Dons 6-3 last weekend before being condemned to a 5-2 defeat at Bromley on Boxing Day. 

Only second from bottom Morecambe (38) have shipped more goals than Newport (36) who sit in 18th place in League Two. 

The Exiles have won just once in their last eight league games (drawing five, losing twice) but Sadler insists Walsall are fully aware of the threat they pose.

He continued: "Anyone who beats MK Dons 6-3 have got a fantastic attacking output. They play, they want to pass the football and the manager has got a way he likes to play which he sticks to. 

"So you have to definitely respect that. Like any team in this division, they can hurt you so we have to be right on top of it." 

Brandon Comley has been declared fit for selection after being fitted with a protective mask. The midfielder has not featured since suffering a fractured cheekbone in Walsall's 4-0 defeat against Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup on November 30. 

George Hall, Josh Gordon (both hamstring) and Priestley Farquharson (thigh) remain unavailable.