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"Carlisle United are a much different proposition at home than they are away, I'm sure that John Ward will want to do something about that before the end of the season. They have the most formidable home record in the League, but we will approach the game just like any other on our travels. We will meet the challenge head on and give it a real go. It has all the ingredients to be a good game, I just hope that the weather doesn't spoil it.
"Looking back at Tuesday's game against Leyton Orient, we've played them twice now and battered them on both occasions, but we've only picked up a point and not scored against them. That's the way it goes sometimes but the standard of our play was absolutely first class. I couldn't be more proud of the lads; I thought that we were great, particularly in the first half, and there were excellent performances all over the pitch.
"We moved the ball well and always posed a threat but just couldn't put the ball in the net. That said, it's a valuable point for us; of course we are disappointed not to have taken all three points, but full credit to Leyton Orient as they came here and kept a clean sheet, something that not many teams would have done."
Meanwhile former Carlisle left-back Paul Boertien said :
"It's nice to be going back to Carlisle, as a kid I used to support Carlisle and Liverpool. I'd watch Carlisle quite regularly but then if I wanted the glory, I'd go and see Liverpool! I've been there to watch a few games but haven't played there since I left the club.
"I'm not sure what sort of reception I'll get because it's been a while since I was there and I only played 20-odd games for them before moving to Derby. It's a massive game. They're fifth and we're fourth so it should be good. With their home form and our away form it's a huge game and it's great for me to be going back."
During the January transfer window the Saddlers have lost both centre-half Scott Dann and left-back Daniel Fox to Coventry for fees of around £1million and £400,000 respectively. Veteran targetman Michael Ricketts, who was on loan from Oldham, has also left the Bescot Stadium after having had his contract with the Latics cancelled yesterday, Walsall choosing not to take over that contract due to, somewhat unsurprisingly, fitness concerns.
Youth team goalkeeper Joel Skeldon has moved to British Gas Business Southern League side Rugby Town on work experience, while former Carlisle winger Martin Brittain was released ten days ago from a short-term deal after making just three appearances for the Saddlers since joining the club in the New Year. 35-year old midfielder Paul Hall completes the outs after he joined Wrexham on loan to the end of the season earlier in the month.
Left-winger Lee Holmes has joined the club on a temporary basis from Derby though, again to the end of the season, while on the other flank the ever-dangerous Kevin Betsy signed up at the Bescot Stadium yesterday on a season-long loan from Premier League hopefuls Bristol City.
Walsall boss Richard Money expects all his players to be fit for tomorrow's promotion battle, with central midfielder Edrissa Sonko having shaken off an ankle knock he picked up in the Saddlers's 0-0 draw at home to Leyton Orient on Tuesday. Meanwhile Welsh under-21 international midfielder Mark Bradley is set to return to action after sitting the game out on Tuesday with a virus.
The referee for tomorrow's match is Eddie Ilderton from Newcastle, and he will be assisted down the lines by Paul Kettlewell from Lancaster and 20-year old Ross Joyce from Middlesbrough. Meanwhile the fourth official is Mark Lawson who is affiliated to the Northumberland FA.