Brentford boss Mark Warburton set to lock horns with Walsall FC once again

The Bees then sporting director fought his club's corner in September during the tribunal which decided the amount of compensation owed to the Saddlers, following striker Will Grigg's switch to Griffin Park last summer.

Tomorrow Warburton, who replaced Uwe Rosler as manager last month, and Grigg head to the Banks's hoping to extend a club-record eight-game winning run which has catapulted them to the top of League One.

Smith, who was on the opposite side of the table during the tribunal, can't wait.

"We went to a tribunal and I locked horns with Mark where we were fighting to get the best deal for our clubs," he said. "I think a fair decision was made in the end."

"I'm not sure he understands what all this worrying lark is about management. It looks so easy for him at the moment."

Smith is referring to Warburton's record since taking the reins of six straight wins. In total the Bees have claimed 37 points from the last possible 39.

It all adds up to a tantalising prospect for the Saddlers as they aim to be the side to halt Brentford's run.

And they aren't exactly in bad form themselves, having taken 14 points from the last 21 games, moving into the top six on Tuesday courtesy of their 1-0 win over Oldham. The victory was also their third on the bounce at the Banks's and with Smith's men frequently saving their best performances for the division's so-called big guns, it's little wonder many are anticipating a cracker. Smith, for one, is among them.

"I think it's a great game to look forward to," he said. "We are on a decent run too at home at the moment.

"We are looking forward to it and I'm sure our supporters are as well, to see if we can challenge a side who are on a good run.

"We have a decent record against all of the top six at the moment apart from Preston, who beat us 3-0.

"We've had some good results, some good performances and we need one again."

Added to the usual excitement a game between two teams in the top six brings is the return of Grigg, who on the tribunal ruling could eventually net the Saddlers more than £500,000 following his move.

His four-goal Brentford career to date has not followed the path he may have hoped for and the 22-year-old is likely to receive a frosty reception from the Banks's crowd.

But he is guaranteed a warm welcome from the home dressing room and the manager's office. Smith remains on good terms with Grigg and bears no grudge over his decision to leave.

"I send Will good luck messages every now and again and I still have a lot of time for him," said Smith. "He is a terrific lad, humble and down to earth.

"He worked really hard on his game when he was here and had a wonderful end to the season last year.

"He made a decision to go elsewhere and that is a personal choice. Good luck to him."

Injured trio Jonathan Douglas, Adam Forshaw and Harley Dean are all back in training for the Bees but are unlikely to feature. The only other change may see Toumani Diagouraga come in at the expense of Alan McCormack.

Walsall are likely to remain unchanged from the side which beat Oldham, with Febian Brandy keeping his place.