Walsall V Lincoln City at Banks's Stadium : Match Preview

12 November 2012 15:31
Walsall V Lincoln City - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Grigg absent due to international call

Struggling Walsall will be depleted for their FA Cup first round replay at home to non-league Lincoln on Tuesday night.

Striker Will Grigg is on international duty with Northern Ireland as they prepare to host Azerbaijan in a crucial World Cup qualifier on Wednesday night.

Sam Mantom signed for the Saddlers on loan from West Brom on Friday but, after making his debut in Saturday's disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Swindon, is ineligible having not been registered when the initial 1-1 draw took place against Lincoln earlier this month.

The midfielder will however be available should Walsall progress into the second round, where Mansfield or Slough lie in wait.

Midfielder Florent Cuvelier remains sidelined for around a couple of weeks with his hamstring injury, while Andy Taylor and Ben Purkiss are also still absent nursing similar complaints although the latter pair are targeting Saturday's trip to Crawley for a possible return.

The Saddlers are winless in 10 matches in all competitions stretching back to late September and play host to a confident Imps outfit unbeaten in eight.

Lincoln boss David Holdsworth has no new injury worries.

Forward duo Rob Duffy and Conner Robinson remain out with ankle injuries, as does midfielder Peter Bore (thigh).

On-loan defender Scott Garner is ineligable having been named in the matchday squad by parent club Cambridge for their preliminary round defeat to Luton.

Jamie Taylor gave the Imps the lead on the stroke of half-time in the original tie at Sincil Bank before George Bowerman spared the blushes of the Dean Smith's npower League One outfit.

Since that contest City have claimed back-to-back league wins to extend their ubeaten run to eight matches in all competitions.

Conal Platt remains a long-term absentee with a broken leg.

Source: PA