Goalkeeper Andy Marshall is Joe Royle's biggest doubt ahead of Saturday's First Division clash with Walsall at Portman Road. Marshall took a heavy blow to his right leg near his ankle at Leicester and it is still very swollen.

The Town boss of his keeper: “Our big doubt is Andy Marshall. I would think that he's just slightly better than even money to play. But he's very sore and we'll give him a fitness test tomorrow. Chris Makin and Tommy Miller have both had treatment this morning but should be OK.”

Royle has added Academy goalkeeper Lewis Price to the squad as cover with James Pullen set to make his first league start for Town if Marshall fails to make it. Martijn Reuser is also added to the squad as he continues his comeback after his knee operation.

The Town manager is not underestimating Walsall: “We've got to beware, we've got to be sensible now that we've drawn at Portsmouth and won at Leicester. Walsall aren't going to roll over.

“It's a hard game, they are a well-organised side and we've had very good reports on them. They are a very tidy, footballing side. Having built a bit of a base over the weekend, we're not going to take this one lightly.

“They are a small squad and they are doing fantastically well just to stay in the division. That's not being a big brother looking down on them, that's a genuine compliment.

“I've asked about Darren Wrack in the past, Aranalde's a talented boy the left-back and the two centre-halves are both solid boys, Danny Hay and Ian Roper. They've got plenty about them.”

Walsall are without first choice keeper Jimmy Walker who is suspended and Gavin Ward takes his place. Former Town midfielder Danny Sonner will be in the Saddlers' starting line-up.

Town's away form under Royle has moved on more than results at home, however the manager says that he feels the performances have been up to scratch: “At home the results haven't been as good as away but if you look at the home performance against Rotherham, I thought it was very good. Going forward at times we were very good against Watford. We've just got to cross that fine line.

Royle has praise for two players he has moved to centre-half since moving to the club: “I think Chris Makin being back at the back has made us a more solid unit, and there is no doubt that in the last two games against Portsmouth and Leicester, the top two sides, they have had relatively few chances now that Chris us back.

“Matt has also had a brilliant month. Don't forget he started as a centre-half, so the position is not strange to him. It's also easier for him to lead from the back as well, he can see everything in front of him.

“The side centre-halves can join in the play more and are encouraged to do that as we've still got two at the back. All three at the back can play with the ball. When you play three at the back you've got to have players who can do that.”

Royle is at pains for everyone not to get too carried away after the last two results: “I don't want to put a damper on things but it's time to be a little bit sensible. I've said all along I think we are improving and I maintain that we are improving.

“The spirit is there for all to see, we've been behind at the top two and come back, we were pegged back twice by Watford, we were pegged back by Coventry, we've been behind at Brighton and not at our best and came back strongly. It pleases me to see that the heads don't go down when we go behind, that's very important.

“All of a sudden we are eight points off a play-off place with a game in hand, so it something for supporters to look forward to in the New Year.”

Squad: Ambrose, D Bent, M Bent, Clapham, Couñago, Gaardsøe, Holland, Hreidarsson, Magilton, Makin, Marshall, T Miller, Naylor, Price, Pullen, Reuser, Wilnis and Wright.

Photo: Action Images

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