LEE FOWLER plans to be back to his influential best against Walsall tomorrow (3.00).

It will be the first time in a year that the Welsh Under 21 cap has started back-to-back League games for Town.

He's keen to make the most of the opportunity, but the tough-tackling midfielder will only be happy if Peter Jackson's side return from the Bescot Stadium with three points to close in on the play-off placings.

"I wasn't particularly happy with my personal performance against Bournemouth, but we worked hard and we won the game," said Fowler, who is included in the next Under 21 squad to face Germany at Wrexham the week after next.

"The gaffer told us beforehand that the game wasn't about the performance, it was about the result, and it was important we delivered a win for him and for the fans.

"From my point of view, I probably didn't have as much impact as I did when I went on against the likes of Torquay and Barnsley, but I really enjoyed it.

"Just to be playing again and to be part of a victory was great.

"Coming back into the side, I think I felt a bit more tired than I would normally do, but I'm glad the gaffer left me on until the last few minutes.

"He could probably have taken me off at the 70 mark, but those extra 20 minutes were worth at least three Reserves games in terms of match fitness - and that's what I need.

"I'm sure I'll show the benefit of that against Walsall, but the only thing that matters is that we win."

Fowler's last run in Jackson's starting line-up came in January and February last year, at the height of a sequence which defined Town as genuine play-off contenders.

A similar run now could also have the desired effect, and Fowler believes it's not too late to close a gap of nine points to the top six.

"It was at this time last year that we pushed right up the table and, hopefully, we can do it again," he said. "The lads certainly believe we can, even though we know this is a tougher division than last year's.

"We are looking positively at taking three points off Walsall tomorrow and then we've got another home game against Luton, who we've already beaten at their place this season.

"Everyone has looked at the table and we all know that if we can string two or three wins together we will be right back in the thick of things."

Fowler is looking forward to doing battle with Walsall's player-manager Paul Merson and the experienced Mark Kinsella, and he added: "Walsall will want to bounce back from their loss at Colchester, especially with the fact that Paul Merson has been close to leaving this week.

"We can't have any sympathy for Paul Merson or for Walsall, though, and we just have to focus on picking up the points which we are going to need to get us promoted.

"Walsall have a good home record and will want to do the business in front of their own fans, but we just have to look to build on what we did against Bournemouth.

"I think we should have taken more points from recent games than we have done, but the win did us a lot of good and now we're aiming to push on."

Fowler believes the key tomorrow could be Town's attack, with 19-goal top scorer Pawel Abbott being joined by loan man Luke Beckett and experienced Andy Booth.

"With a front three like that we've got the ability to kill teams," said Fowler. "A formation like that means the midfield have to work very hard indeed, but Boothy always gives you options.

"He makes every ball forward a good one. Even if you play a bad pass, he'll turn it into a good one and retain possession."

Walsall - Murphy, Wright, Bennett, Emblen, Aranalde, Kinsella, Osborn, Wrack, Merson, Leitao,Robinson, Williams, Broad,Paston, Dann, Atieno.

Town - Rachubka, Brown, Edwards, E Sodje, Yates, Fowler, Brandon, Worthington, Booth, Abbott, Beckett, Schofield, McAliskey, Ahmed, T.Clarke, Collins, A Sodje, Mirfin, Senior.

Referee - Mick Fletcher (Worcester).