David Artell sends Walsall warning to Grimsby Town players

The Mariners, who are unbeaten in seven league games, travel to Bescot tomorrow just two points adrift of the play-off spots.

Danny Rose salvaged a point from the spot against Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday, extending his season tally to 11 goals, with his fifth in his last seven appearances. 

Walsall have had a wobble, collecting just two wins from their last 10 games, to see their seemingly unassailable 12-point lead cut down to just two. 

But Artell insists he is not reading into the form guide. 

He told BBC Humberside: "I watched them last Tuesday at Cheltenham. They're super competitive, super athletic, the set pieces they don't half put it on you. 

"They're not as efficient as they were before Christmas but that still doesn't mean they're not a good team. They're top of the league after 30 odd games for a reason. 

"So we've got to go there and play well because if we don't then we won't win. It's as simple as that."

Striker Donovan Wilson has been ruled out for four to six weeks with a hamstring injury, and Douglas Tharme was forced off in midweek due to a calf complaint.

Jordan Davies could return from his hamstring issue but Artell is not willing to take any "undue risks".

"I spoke to him, we'll see how he is this week, but what we don't want to do is play him and he gets injured," he added.

"There is a third to a quarter of the season left so we've got to be mindful that we're not in that end game yet. 

"We don't need to get caught up in any undue risks. When he is fit, he's fit."