Oldham Athletic AFC vs Walsall preview - Ibehre set for Latics bow

Jabo Ibehre could make his Oldham debut against former club Walsall this weekend, but fellow striker Conor Wilkinson will make the last appearance of his loan spell.

Ibehre, Colchester's player of the year last season, linked up with Latics on Thursday to bolster Lee Johnson's options in that area with Wilkinson due back at managerless Bolton after this weekend.

Top scorer Jonathan Forte is a doubt with a persistent knee problem while central defenders George Elokobi (thigh) and Adam Lockwood (foot) will definitely occupy the sidelines.

Genseric Kusunga is away on international duty with Angola so Timothee Dieng is set to partner James Wilson in the middle of the back four once again.

Walsall will have defender Andy Butler back available after he missed Tuesday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy win at Rochdale as part of the loan agreement with parent club Sheffield United.

Fellow centre-half James Chambers was one of six changes brought in at Spotland as he returned from a month out with a hamstring injury.

Sam Mantom is now the Saddlers' only long-term absentee, although Tom Bradshaw is doubtful this weekend with a slight hamstring problem and Romaine Sawyers is away on international duty with St Kitts and Nevis.

"With the injured lads coming back to fitness, there are options available to me and it's nice to have this kind of selection problem," said manager Dean Smith on the club website.