HAVING finished just two points above the relegation zone last season Walsall were among the bookies favourites to struggle this season.

But having made a start to the season almost as bad as the Clarets they have started to find their feet and now lie just one point behind Burnley, albeit having played one game more.

Again like the Clarets, their current form is good and following the disappointment of a 4-3 home defeat by Rotherham they are unbeaten in their last four games, a run that has seen them climb the table and earn a third round Worthington Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

In the cup they won 2-1 at Nottingham Forest while in the League they have beaten Millwall 3-0 away, Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 at home and last weekend they recovered from 2-0 down to earn a point against Derby County at Pride Park.

Saddlers boss Colin Lee used the free week to have a behind closed doors friendly match with Kidderminster Harriers which they won 4-2.

"It was a good work-out for a number of players," admitted the former Wolves manager who took over from the popular Ray Graydon at the Bescot Stadium at the start of the year.

He took over with Walsall in the bottom three and after winning his first game in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Charlton his side lost just four times in their last 16 games to ensure their survival.

In the summer he brought in defender Danny Hay from Leeds, Darren Bazeley and strikers David Zdrilic and Brazilian Junior from abroad.

Zdrilic is currently injured but Hay has been given special permission to join up late with New Zealand ahead of their friendly international with Poland - in Vienna of all places. He will fly out straight after the game.

Matt Carbon is also injured but former Claret Danny Sonner could return to the bench after injury.