Zidanes Walsall Vs AFC Bournemouth LDV preview

Last updated : 21 November 2005 By Andy Van Hagen
Walsall will be hoping to bounce back from the disapointment of our loss away to MK Dons by progressing to the next round of the LDV.

Walsall Team News

Walsall fans will have the opportunity to have their first look at new striker James Constable. The striker has been added to the squad to face Bournemouth and looks set to make his debut, in a bid for him to experience league one football before actually playing a league one game!!

Craig Pead has now served his suspension so should replace Westwood at right back. Staunton may drop to the bench as 2 games in 4 days may be a bit much for him. Depending on the formation Westwood should move to centre back.

Walsall may use this game to give Daryll Taylor another run out from the bench and Kris Taylor may be pushing to replace Anthony Gerrard in midfied

Apart from these inclusions the squad should consist of the same personnel that lost at MK Dons. Mark Kinsella and Simon Osborn are still doubtful. Mark Wright, Paul Merson, Darren Wrack, Michael Standing and Andy Oakes are still absentees.

Bournemouth Team news

Bournemouth have Steve Fletcher and Eddie Howe returning to fitness. This game may be an ideal run out for them. The Bournemouth team that lost 4-2 to Doncaster on Saturday was as follows

24Stewart
21Hart
12O'Connor
2Young
7Cooke
22Cooper
29Foley-Sheridan
17Surman
4Browning
8Stock
14Hayter

Returning to Bescot

Tuesday will see Andrew Surman's first return to Bescot since his loan spell last season. I would like to think he would recieve a good reception from the Bescot crowd. The youngster did very well on loan with us and we have missed him since not managing to sign him on loan this season. He chose to join Bournemouth over ourselves so he could remain at his Hampshire home.

The game will also see Dani Rodrigues returning to Bescot. Rodrigues made one appearence in the 2002/3 season. He played in our 2-0 home loss to Ipswich.

(Clicking on the Bournemouth players names, see their playing records)

Prediction

While the league remains the priority, this is a great chance for Walsall to get a trip to the brand new national stadium (or Cardiff again if Wembley is not ready in time!!). I think we will play a full strength team and will win 3-2 with our new striker banging in the winner 5 mins from time!!!