Walsall can see where they stand in race for the play-offs

The Saddlers have not played since January 23 after two consecutive Saturday fixtures – at home to Mansfield Town and away to Southend United – were called off due to waterlogged pitches.

They now return to the Banks’s Stadium in tonight’s rescheduled clash with Mansfield with a clearer view of the league table landscape.

Before their postponed games Walsall had played more games than most teams around them, giving them a potentially false position in the league.

Now, after two weeks off, most clubs have caught up and given the Saddlers a realistic view of their task.

They currently sit 12th in the league, having played 25 games. A handful of teams around them have also played 25 games, while many have played 26.

Leyton Orient, in 10th position, have played 27.

In many ways this offers Walsall an advantage, knowing that a string of positive results will propel them into the play-off picture.

They are seven points off Morecambe in seventh, but have a game in hand over the Shrimps.

Although some teams would prefer points on the board rather than games in hand, the ball is firmly in Walsall’s court for a late promotion charge.

The league is exceptionally tight with Exeter also seven points ahead of Walsall in fifth position, having too played 26 games.

Darrell Clarke is aware that they are still in play-off contention but is keen not to get ahead of himself.

“There’s a lot of football to be played, a lot of twists and turns,” he said.

“We want to focus on us and trying to win our next game.

“It’s a boring cliché but you have to focus on that and the performance levels and then move on to the next game.

“That’s always the way I’ve worked to get my success. We don’t get too high or too low and always focus on the next project.”

What will be key to any potential play-off place will be Clarke’s new signings and whether they can hit the ground running.

Max Melbourne, a direct replacement for Zak Jules, will battle with Callum Cockerill-Mollett for the left-back slot and could add quality with his League One pedigree.

After Elijah Adebayo left, his replacement Derick Osei Yaw will be under pressure to deliver, but manager Clarke wants to give him time to adjust.

When asked if he is likely to play as a striker or winger, Clarke said: “Derick is a good size and I see him as a number nine, but he can play left or right of a front three.

“He gives us flexibility and options but will need bedding in.

“Lavery has been patient and waited for an opportunity. We have Gordon and Jayden Reid who can play as a number nine and the left and right.

“Derick comes in and is looking to get minutes on the board and be as effective as Eli was. You can’t put too much on his shoulders too early, he’s a lad from France who had had minutes at Oxford.

“He has match-winning qualities in him and we’ll see how he does.”

Meanwhile, a key member of Walsall’s side could be returning in the coming weeks as Rory Holden continues his rehab.

The attacking midfielder was an impressive creative force in the team before a knee injury at the turn of the year threatened to end his season.

Some good news came weeks later when Clarke revealed Holden could return in mid-February.

Now, after an operation was not necessary, the 23-year-old is targeting his comeback at the end of the month.

“He’s in rehab but the end of February is more realistic,” Clarke added.

“It’s difficult with knees, with the time it takes to heal. He’s in rehab, has his brace off and he’s off his crutches, which is a good sign. We’ll see how that develops over the next few weeks and give you updates as we go along.”