Jon Whitney rings the changes for Walsall in Checkatrade Trophy clash

The Latics head to the Banks's Stadium for the Checkatrade Trophy clash with the winner set to face Mansfield in round three.

Whitney's side enter the tie on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Fleetwood on Saturday.

And after being disappointed with his team's display at Highbury Stadium, the boss will use tonight's fixture as an audition for the League One clash with Bradford at the weekend.

"I'll pick a team based on some thoughts for the weekend," Whitney said.

"I need to look at a few things and this game gives me an opportunity to do that.

"Every game, you are playing for your shirt and I need to look at a couple of players.

"Players are playing for places and this is a chance for them to impress me and my coaches."

Walsall qualified for the second round of the competition by winning Group H thanks to victories over Grimsby, Sheffield United and Leicester. Those games saw Whitney hand opportunities to some of his younger players with the likes of Maz Kouhyar, Amadou Bakayoko and Callum Cockerill-Mollett all making their full Saddlers debut in the competition.

But with Florent Cuvelier, Isaiah Osbourne and Simeon Jackson all in need of playing time, Whitney says tonight's team will be a mixture of youth and experience.

"It's important I don't come away from the fact my young players have got us this far," the boss continued.

"They have won three out of three and I want them to keep playing.

"But I also understand now it's the last 32. It's knockout. And I need to try out a few things for the visit of Bradford on Saturday."

Tonight's attendance is set to only just break the 1,000 mark as fans continue to stay away in protest at controversial changes which saw Premier League and Championship sides enter under-21 teams into the competition.

Whitney, though, says Walsall are determined to go as far as they possibly can, with the boss believing his team can win it.

"We know we have got Mansfield in the next round if we get through," the boss said. "If we can win these two games then suddenly it's the quarter-finals.

"I want to go as far as I can in this competition. It's the only cup we are in and we want to stay in it.

"If we play to our potential we know we can win these two games.

"Then a game at Wembley is only just around the corner.

"We can see a pathway and we are going to give it everything we have got to be successful."

Oldham head to the West Midlands currently in the relegation spots in League One.

But Whitney believes Steve Robinson's side cannot be underestimated.

"We respect the opposition," he added. "They will be looking to get their season back on track and to build confidence heading into the league.

"It's going to be a tough game but we are looking forward to it and I'm looking forward to seeing a reaction from Saturday."