The Saddlers were one of two sides to do a League Two double over U’s last season, both games finishing 1-0 as a Tyrese Shade free kick was enough to give Walsall the points at Sutton almost exactly a year ago, and a controversial Conor Wilkinson penalty the difference at the Bescot Stadium. 

Wilkinson has not played since April due to a serious knee injury and like midfielder Joss Labadie, who sustained a similar injury before the end of last season, will not feature at the VBS on Saturday as Walsall look for a second away league win of the season, their only success on the road so far coming at manager Michael Flynn’s former club Newport. They have drawn at Stockport and Gillingham, and lost at Barrow, Bradford, Leyton Orient and Mansfield, where they were without leading scorer Danny Johnson, who is on loan from The Stags and was ineligible, but who has scored eight times in the league this season, including an opening day hat trick against Hartlepool.

Sutton will have skipper Craig Eastmond and goalkeeper Lewis Ward available after they missed Tuesday’s game due to being respectively suspended and cup-tied, while the majority of the short term injuries have now cleared and there is also good news on some of the longer term injuries, with Matt providing an update in his interview available later.

Saturday’s referee is Paul Howard, who is in his third season on the EFL list and last season was in charge of U’s games at Rochdale, a year ago this weekend, and Stevenage. He also refereed a number of National League games involving Sutton.

Tickets for Saturday’s game are available on line here right up to kick off time. Prices are £20 for adults, £14 for concessions and £6 for juniors, with a £5 increase for stand seats. Tickets will also be on sale at the ground but there is an extra £2 charge for adult and concession tickets bought on the day in person. That charge does not apply to tickets bought on line.

The Sutton fanzone will be open from 12 noon as usual, with food and drink available, with the fanzone for Walsall supporters behind the visitors’ accommdation opening at 1.30pm at the same time as the turnstiles.

A programme for the game can be ordered here to be sent out after the game.

There will be a live audio commentary on iFollow for people in the UK unable to get to the game and a match pass costs £2.50. Overseas supporters can watch a live stream for £10. Click here to buy a match pass or to buy a monthly or seasonal pass.