Jon Macken in goal vow

Jon Macken today admitted his Walsall goal woes are affecting him – but vowed to turn it around.

The striker has scored just four times this term ahead of tonight's showdown with Southampton.

He bagged two in his first four games, including a debut strike at Brighton, but has netted just twice in 25 games since.

The 33-year-old has earned praise for his selfless performances – and is the Saddlers' top provider with seven assists – but conceded his lack of goals is worrying.

"It does play on your mind, it would play on anyone's mind," said Macken, who is expected to recover from a back spasm which forced him to miss Saturday's 0-0 draw with Rochdale. "If you're not scoring or getting the chances and missing you hear people commenting and making the digs but at the end of the day you have to push it away from you.

"I know my game has been very good, I know I'm playing very well but it's just the last little thing with the goals but I'm confident I can turn it around.

"It's the luck I've had at the moment, keepers are making good a saves and I've been making a couple of mistakes. I'm sure it will turn around, if I believe it will turn around it will."

Macken's last goal came in the 3-3 draw at Tranmere in January but he is targeting ending the drought against the promotion-chasing Saints and he insisted the Saddlers won't be afraid of the League One big boys.

He said: "Who cares at the end of the day? We're in a position where we need the wins so we can't go in with fear. It's a game of football we know we can win and that's what we're looking to do.

"They are in the league for a reason and we've seen the way it's gone this season, anyone can beat anyone which is the pleasing thing."