Eric Skora's knee injury has convinced Paul Merson that it is time to make a comeback as Walsall bid to redress their dismal home form.
Merson has been absent since September 29 when he suffered a serious groin injury against Brentford, but the onloan Skora's return to Preston for treatment has hastened his return.
The Saddlers face Nottingham Forest in a fixture that is crucial to their promotion ambitions and Merson will be looking for a response after their defeat at Oldham in midweek.
Walsall's manager was left incandescent with rage after their abject performance at Boundary Park on Tuesaday and is demanding a much improved showing at the City Ground tomorrow, when they face Nottingham Forest.
Merson knows it will be a tough task but is adamant that his players produce a far better performance than the one that was on offer against Oldham.
"I played 45 minutes for the reserves against Chasetown on Wednesday and it doesn't feel sore, so I am in the squad for the trip to Forest," he said. "However, If they play like they did against Oldham, they will get slaughtered.
"For the last three weeks, they have looked invincible and hard to beat, but then we give away two comical goals and, no disrespect to Oldham, but they aren't one of the better teams in our division.
"It will be tough at Forest as Gary Megson had five players out on Tuesday night that would walk into any team in this league backwards. However, I want to have a go at Forest and we won't just try to stifle them."
Merson questioned his side's commitment and desire after their defeat at Oldham and was visibly downbeat at his pre-match press conference. A 4-0 defeat at Chasetown in the Staffordshire Senior Cup hadn't improved his demeanour and he lamented the redundant work ethic he witnessed during their latest away-day horror show.
"I think that Oldham were hungrier in midweek and it is down to a mentality of whether or not you want it," continued Merson. "You cannot lurch from one extreme to another inside three days, like we do.
"It is an excuse to say they are League One players. The least you can ask for is that someone runs around and gives their all and I thought a lot of them could have played another 45 minutes on Tuesday.
"Supporters aren't silly; they can see it and I'm not silly as I can see it too. If they can't work hard and enjoy the game against Forest, then they are struggling. This is the best place in the league to go and play."
Steve Staunton and Michael Husbands are both absentees from Merson's squad tomorrow.
