Walsall forward Elijah Adebayo is gunning for Vale once more

Last season, the striker netted in both games against the Valiants as the Saddlers came away with four points.

In the two seasons prior, Adebayo also struck twice against Vale in two victories while he was on loan at Cheltenham and then Swindon.

Despite the 22-year-old being in impressive form this campaign, heading into tomorrow’s clash with four goals in his last five games, he is still expecting a difficult test.

“Port Vale will always be a tough encounter,” Adebayo said. “They have good players, a strong squad. They’re a physical squad.

“They’ve obviously not had the best form of results recently but like any team, if you pick up a few results the tide will turn.

“I’ve had a few good games against Port Vale but like any game, I’m looking forward to it.

“There’s not a team that we should fear in this league. We need to do what we normally do and let our quality show after we’ve pressed hard and worked hard.”

Adebayo has now reached eight goals this season, the same number he achieved in the whole of the last campaign.

He has become one of the first names on the teamsheet and has played a pivotal role in Walsall’s improved form, winning their last three games.

“I’m feeling fit,” he said. “I’ve played quite a lot of minutes this season, which is great. I’m embracing every single minute and trying to get better every single day. I’m pushing myself to achieve more. I want to say I’m happy, but I want to contribute more every single game. You can’t win every game, but the performances need to be there and if they are the result takes care of itself.”

Despite currently leading the line for the Saddlers, Adebayo insists he feels no added pressure.

“I’m always happy to contribute to the team because the team is most important,” he added. “There’s responsibility and some people say it’s pressure – I don’t think it’s really pressure, it’s just about playing with a team behind you that’s going to support you all the way.

“Everyone is playing for the shirt, not just the starting XI. Everyone wants to get into the team, everyone wants to play. It’s more of a collective achievement moving forward.

“Playing up front on my own is about being clever. It’s about controlled aggression and not always being hot-headed and angry. I’m a player that uses my brain and tries to work out the opponents.

“I know my team will support me.

“We knew we were creating chances, it was just about putting the ball in the net.

“We did that a few times in the early part of the season, but we weren’t doing it enough, hence the draws. Now we’re creating more chances and taking more of them, allowing us to get a foothold in the game.”

Meanwhile, Walsall could be facing a potential injury crisis at left-back after Zak Jules picked up an injury in midweek. The defender came off with a suspected hamstring issue against Oldham, while George Nurse has been out for a number of weeks with a tendon problem.

Callum Cockerill-Mollett has recently been out of the team due to poor form, but Clarke has revealed he too has picked up a knock.

“Zak Jules came off and that is being assessed, we’ll see how that one goes,” Clarke said. “Nursey is having a scan. It’s been a disappointment with how long he’s been out. It’s been a complicated issue and we’re very frustrated with that. He’s having a scan on Saturday, but we’re hoping that’s moving forward. We want to make sure there’s nothing more sinister going on that we think there is. Cockerill-Mollett has suffered a slight setback as well.

“Joe Willis, one of our young pros, has had an operation to pin his foot because he broke it.

“It’s not too bad and we get on with it.”