Walsall boss is backing Jon Macken

Walsall manager Dean Smith today backed goal-shy Jon Macken and insisted the striker is under no pressure to start scoring.

The 33-year-old has netted just four times this term – once under Smith – since joining last summer but is the Saddlers' top provider with five assists.

Walsall have scored just 35 goals this term ahead of tomorrow's trip to Carlisle, with midfielder Matt Richards top scorer with eight.

Macken will lead the line without Jason Price at Carlisle tomorrow, with the United loanee unable to play against his parent club, and Smith insisted the striker is still his top man.

He said: "There's no pressure at all, Jon is a massive asset for us. He's an integral part of what we want and where we're going.

"You can see he's still got that drive in him. The games he's played have shown what he gives to the team.

"He will be disappointed his return of goals has only been one under me but his work and commitment for the cause has been fantastic. The whole dressing room knows that.

"They know what he's contributed and against Bristol Rovers he played a part in about in four goals. He holds the ball up well, brings others into play, knows the game and coaches others.

"He's a good professional to have around."

But Macken could have extra competition for a spot within weeks after Smith revealed captain Darren Byfield is on the brink of a return.

The striker has been out for five months with a knee injury and has undergone a series of successful sugar injections to strengthen the joint.

The treatment finished this week and Smith expects Byfield to return and help their survival fight.

He said: "Darren has had his final sugar injection and hopefully it will see him on the training ground in the next couple of weeks.

"He's been out a while and he wants to come back a little bit quicker than the physio would let him but we'll know when it's right to let him go out.

"We'll assess him and it'll be like a new signing when he is fit. He's certainly coming into the dressing room with a smile on his face which he hasn't done for the past couple of weeks.

"I don't know whether he is high on sugar or not though!"