‘Genius’ out to cast a spell on Walsall

GARY HARKINS: has impressed during two appearances for Athletic.

Gary Harkins, a creative shining light in a dour battle against Stevenage, can turn on the style again at Walsall tonight.

Harkins is set to start at the Banks’s Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm) and Athletic boss Lee Johnson says the

on-loan St Mirren player needs to feel valued in order to produce his best.

“He is very free-spirited and plays off the cuff,” said Johnson. “At times you will wonder what he has done and at others it will look like genius,” added the manager.

“Sometimes you will have to allow him to frustrate. It does happen with players like that. He will need time, but he has done very well in the two games he has had and got a standing ovation against Stevenage.

“It is nice for him to feel loved — and he is the sort of player who needs to feel that.”

David Worrall trained yesterday and is in with a chance of a place in the squad tonight as Athletic aim to claim back-to-back wins in Sky Bet League One.

If Worrall is fit, Johnson has no injury concerns and will have several options.