Last updated at 09:56, Saturday, 03 January 2009

Walsall trek to Brunton Park for their first game of 2009 has not been met with approval by their influential forward Troy Deeney.

Although far from the longest trip to be undertaken in League One this year, Deeney prepared for the game with a grumble about the Saddlers’ slog from the Midlands for this afternoon’s game.

“Carlisle is a horrible place to go, so far away,” moaned Deeney. “But we are not going up there just to try and get a draw.

“Hopefully we will put up a good performance for the fans that travel all that way. Away from home, Walsall’s are top fans, to be fair, and the boys really appreciate their support.”

Walsall are without five key players today as they bid to bounce back from their last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Tranmere last Sunday.

Former Blues defender Paul Boertien is sidelined with a hamstring problem while Stephen Roberts, Stephen Hughes and Mark Bradley also miss out with injury.

And one-cap former England striker Michael Ricketts is suspended, leaving manager Jimmy Mullen desperate for recruits in the transfer window.

“We are aware of the fact we’re thin on the ground and will obviously be looking at it,” said Mullen. “We have what we have and we have to prepare as best we can for Carlisle. As for what happens in the January, we will wait and see.”

• First year pro Dan Wordsworth has had his United contract terminated by mutual consent.

The 18-year-old defender, handed professional terms by John Ward in the summer, has been on loan with Kendal Town and will continue playing for the Unibond Premier side.

First published at 09:00, Saturday, 03 January 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk