Hughes joined Walsall last July

Walsall skipper Mark Hughes says a hectic run of fixtures could work to their advantage as they pursue a place in the League One play-offs.

The Saddlers face eight games in February and are currently 10 points off the top six in League One.

Hughes told BBC WM: "It's not over. Ten points is a lot but if we can stick two or three wins together we're in there.

"It could work in our favour and we could get a bit of momentum going so we'll keep plugging away."

Saturday's defeat by Brighton was Walsall's first game for 28 days following the recent bad weather but Hughes said they cannot blame their inactivity for the result.

We're going to be playing all the time now so we can't complain. It's about standing up and being counted and showing character. Walsall captain Mark Hughes

"We knew what it was going to be like and we were poor in the first half. We have to get out of that. We can't keep coming from behind," he said.

"You can train as much as you like but it's been hard.

"It's only four weeks and we've had 20-odd games before then and we're all fit lads", he added.

With so many matches to come the Saddlers know the next few weeks could go a long way to shaping their destiny this season and Hughes is aware the squad will be tested to the full.

"We're going to be playing all the time now so we can't complain. It's about standing up and being counted and showing character," he said.

"We have got good characters in the dressing room and we'll stick together."

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