Lee Grant weighing up Walsall defence as Rochdale head to Bescot | OneFootball

Lee Grant has a defensive selection dilemma before Rochdale visit Bescot this weekend, despite Walsall conceding only four in seven under him and keeping five clean sheets. According to ExpressAndStar.com, the back line has been rotated for tactical and injury reasons.

Ryan Leak returned at Exeter after a groin problem, with Declan Skura absent from the 0-0 draw due to a leg issue but set to be available on Saturday. Leak completed 90 minutes, his first outing since being forced off during the 1-0 Carabao Cup win at Bristol City on 6 August.

Rico Browne is fit again following a calf injury, while Elicha Ahui has impressed at right-back and made the League Two team of the week alongside Leak after the stalemate at Exeter. Mason Hancock has held the left-back berth, forging a useful link with Reece Smith.

Smith has created the joint-second most chances in League Two with 14, and three of Aaron Pressley’s five goals have come directly from his assists.

Sven Sprangler had started every league game until Exeter, when Charlie Crew and Isaac Moore formed the double pivot. Walsall missed Sprangler’s experience and he should return to the base of midfield.

Courtney Clarke could continue on the right, with Lewis Simper another option, and Tai Sodje, Andrew Dallas or Antony Evans could operate behind Pressley. Predicted Walsall XI, three-one-four-two: Ward, Ahui, Connolly, Leak, Hancock, Sprangler, Moore, Clarke, Evans, Smith, Pressley. Bench: Wooster, Browne, Skura, Crew, Simper, Sodje, Dallas. Score prediction: Walsall 2-0 Rochdale.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”