Vincent returned to the Saddlers this season for a second spell

Walsall defender Jamie Vincent says he is happy to accept the responsibility of guiding a fledgling back four through a busy February fixture list.

Vincent, 34, has tucked into the middle lately to help rookies Darryl Westlake, Clayton McDonald and Netan Sansara.

"I'm enjoying it - the gaffer's asked me to fill in with Manny Smith out injured," said the former Derby player.

"I like to talk, it keeps me concentrated as well if I can talk to the other lads."

Vincent's run in his makeshift position is likely to continue with another centre-back, Mark Hughes, not fully recovered from injury.

And he hopes Westlake, 18, Sansara, 20, and McDonald, 21, will follow his lead and communicate more on the field.

"Hopefully it'll make them pass on some information as well, which they are doing," he noted.

"We're trying to work as a team at the back and try to give the other lads the chance to win the games for us."

Walsall face the unusual prospect of taking on Bristol Rovers for the second time in 72 hours on Tuesday evening, following a goalless draw at the Banks's Stadium on Saturday.

Vincent says he will know just what to expect from Rovers forward pairing of Andy Williams and Jo Kuffour.

"They complement each other quite well," he said. "Kuffour looks to come in deep and looks to spin in behind, Williams feeds off that.

"They work well together. They're a handful, but we kept them to a clean sheet so hopefully we can do that again on Tuesday."

The Saddlers will welcome top scorer Troy Deeney back after suspension for the trip to the Memorial Ground.

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