Walsall assistant manager Simon Osborn has challenged his players to demonstrate they are hungry for promotion with an immediate improvement in form against Blackpool today.

Last Wednesday's 2-0 defeat to Bradford City means the Saddlers have the unenviable record of six away league defeats in their past seven trips.

Osborn suggested that if the club were to challenge for promotion, their away form would need to improve dramatically.

"We have to bounce back from Wednesday's performance. The game was disappointing and the worst we've played in a long time."

"Promotion is still a long way off. We are looking to get into the play-offs but our away form needs to be addressed."

Despite this, Osborn is still confident of a victory against Simon Grayson's squad and labelled the encounter as a "must win game."

"You have to go into games confident. Our home form is very good and we have to be positive."

The Seasiders have only won once in five games since Grayson took over following the departure of Colin Hendry last month and they lie in the relegation zone.

But Osborn recognises the importance of the game for the opposition and expects no favours.

"When a new manager comes in, new ideas are introduced and they look for a response from the players.

"They will try to frustrate us but we may just have to be patient."

"It is a massive game for them. But with our home form, we are confident of a victory."

The Saddlers will be without the impressive Eric Skora after suffering a knee injury and returning to Preston.

Darren Wrack is still unavailable as he continues regaining full fitness following a broken shin.

Walsall are lying 13th in League One and a win against Blackpool could see Paul Merson's men climb to tenth in the table.

The game will be particularly significant to fans favourite Jorge Leit?o.

The striker has grown homesick and will be look-ing to return to his native homeland in January. Leit?o will play his last home game for the club today and will later join Portuguese outfit Beira Mar.

Osborn understood his reasons to leave but described him as a "big loss."

"Jorge is a top player. He will be sorely missed by not only the club, staff and players, but also by the fans.

"It is difficult for foreign players to come into another country but Jorge has done fantastically well".

Leit?o scored 71 goals in 258 competitive matches for the Saddlers and Merson will surely be searching for a replacement after his departure.

"We are pursuing some options," he explained. "We have made enquiries and we have drawn up a list of possible and potential targets."

Walsall in addition may be resigned to losing another striker in highly rated youngster Matty Fryatt.

The prolific 19-year-old has already bagged 13 goals in 24 games this season and has reportedly attracted interest from the likes of Charlton, Aston Villa and Sunderland.

Osborn can understand the hype surrounding Fryatt and went on to describe the club's top scorer as a "great player."

"We've had some bids for Matty and its true a few clubs have expressed an interest. We can surely understand why people are watching him."

Nottingham Forest had a reported £850,000 offer rejected for the England under-19 international who appears to long for a move to the Premiership.

But the Walsall faithful are hoping the talented youngster will play at the Bescot at least until the end of this season.