WALSALL have put themselves in the hands of a "medicine man" to magic up Championship football.

The Saddlers might be on their third manager of the season but they are still in the thick of the League One promotion race.

After long-serving boss Dean Smith stepped up a level for Brentford, the experienced Shaun O'Driscoll had a short and not very sweet spell at the Bescot.

So Walsall went back to their 'boot-room' philosophy last month by giving the job to Jon Whitney, whose 12-year association with the club included roles as physio and head of medicine.

Whitney and goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler had been on Smith's back-room team and were kept on as part of the agreement with O'Driscoll.

When O'Driscoll's 16-game reign was brought to a swift end, Whitney was given the job on an interim basis. He has won five from eight matches so far and the post will be made permanent in the summer.

By that point, he hopes to be planning for Walsall's return to second-tier football after a 12-year absence. They went down along with Bryan Robson's Bantams in 2004.

Whitney said: "We're in that groove at the moment where we've got momentum and confidence. Players are getting taller and they are sticking their chests out that extra bit because we are believing.

"They seem to just be revelling in the atmosphere at the moment. They understand the position they are in and they are grabbing it with both hands."

Top scorer Tom Bradshaw, who netted the opener in Walsall's 2-1 win over City in November, is likely to start in tomorrow's return fixture at Valley Parade.

Bradshaw has scored 18 goals and was given his senior Wales debut last month. He has missed the last two games with a groin niggle but returned to the bench against Swindon on Tuesday.

Right back Jason Demetriou came off early in that 1-1 draw with a tight calf but should be okay. Liam Kinsella, son of Phil Parkinson's former Charlton number two Mark, will deputise otherwise after signing a new contract yesterday.

Kieron Morris netted Walsall's midweek equaliser within two minutes of coming on and is expected to be rewarded with a start in midfield.