Ryan Leak is in the starting lineup for Walsall's defence as they welcome League Two frontrunners Salford City to the Bescot Stadium on Monday. The Saddlers, sitting sixth in the table with 19 points from four wins and seven draws, have one compulsory alteration from their previous league match, with Leak coming in for Elicha Ahui, who is suspended.

This change means Declan Skura switches to the right-back position, and Mason Hancock continues at left-back. Sven Sprangler returns to the midfield beside Liam Moore. The attacking quartet of Tom Clarke, Taione Richard Evumena Sodje, Jack Smith and Aaron Pressley is unchanged from the team that secured a three-goal victory over Oldham in their last fixture, a 3-0 win on Saturday 17 October where Sodje and a Pressley brace secured the points.

Salford's strong form

The visiting side comes into the match in excellent condition, having avoided defeat in their past nine games and winning each of their last six. Securing a victory in this match would move them up to second position. Striker Macaulay Langstaff returns to their first eleven.

Walsall, positioned sixth in the League Two table, are the only team in the division yet to be beaten. They confront a difficult challenge against a Salford team that defeated them recently. That prior loss, a 2-4 defeat on Monday 26 October where Aaron Pressley and Lewis Simper scored for the Saddlers, leaves them trailing their Monday night rivals by six points in the league table. The team's recent form over the last five games stands at two wins, two draws and one loss. Their next fixture is an away trip to face 21st-placed Colchester on Saturday 31 October.

Manager Mat Sadler will be looking for the home supporters to help motivate a performance. The squad's following match is an away game against Colchester United. Supporters can access all the match preparation, live commentary and analysis via the club's official social media accounts. The team's top scorer this season is D. Kanu with 15 goals.

The original report is at Bescot Banter