Walsall boss Dean Smith has opted to keep faith with full-backs James O'Connor and Andy Taylor for their Midlands derby with Coventry City at the Bescot Stadium this afternoon.

Both are retained for the visit of the Sky Blues after putting in bright performances during the Saddlers' 3-0 win at MK Dons last week.

The hosts will be without Jordan Cook due to a sickness bug, with James Baxendale stepping in.

Meanwhile, Coventry have midfielders Adam Barton and James Maddison back from one-game bans after the pair were sent off late on during the defeat at Doncaster Rovers, but both must wait for their chance from the bench.

On-loan striker Gary Madine is out with a knee problem, but fellow loanee Frank Nouble starts for the visitors.

Walsall: O'Donnell, Taylor, O'Connor, Downing, A Chambers, Bradshaw, Sawyers, Baxendale, Cain, J Chambers, Forde
Subs: Purkiss, Benning, Flanagan, Grimes, Henry, Manset, MacGillivray

Coventry City: Allsop, Pennington, Webster, Willis, Haynes, C Thomas, Fleck, O'Brien, Jackson, Nouble, Tudgay
Subs: Burge, Phillips, Swanson, Barton, Finch, Maddison, G Thomas