The hunger games for Walsall striker Ashley Grimes

The 27-year-old is yet to register for the Saddlers since his summer switch from Rochdale, where he also failed to score last season.

But, following a solid performance in his first start for six weeks in last weekend's 1-0 win at Fleetwood, Grimes could now be set for a run in the side and will be hoping to keep his place for this Saturday's derby at Coventry. Smith revealed it was attitude and hard work which earned for the former Manchester City youth teamer the recall.

"He has looked really sharp in training, he has worked really hard, he has wanted to get back and he has showed a hunger to get back," explained Smith.

"I felt I had to make a couple of changes for the game at Fleetwood, Grimesy came in and acquitted himself really well. For me he has been unfortunate at times this season, he has come into a team and has been wanting to get a goal.

"Now he has been on a winning team and that will do him a lot of good."

Grimes, whose last goal was for Rochdale against Southend in April 2013, has also received backing from strike partner Romaine Sawyers, who claims to be somewhat mystified at how his team-mate has endured such a scoring drought.

"I think as long as he keeps doing his job the chances will come and he will take one," said Sawyers. "If you saw him in training and saw his finishing you would wonder how he hasn't had a 25-goal season somewhere in this career.

"His finishing is great. Once he gets one I'm sure he will keep knocking them in.

"Anyone who saw the game on Saturday will see he is a good player.

"He brings a different dimension to the team.

"He's a very good player, very technical and he fits in with the way we want to play. He might not drive at full-backs in the same way say Anthony Forde would do but he has a lot of other qualities."