MAURICE Malpas has warned his Town players they must put on a performance against play-off rivals Walsall tomorrow if they want to be considered for the showcase clash with League One giants Leeds United next week, writes GARETH MOORHOUSE.

Tickets are rapidly running out for the return fixture with Leeds on March 1, as Town fans look forward to welcoming one of the biggest clubs in English football.

But for Malpas, all eyes are on the visit of Walsall tomorrow, and three points on offer at the end of the game.

He said: "I will be reminding the players that if they want to play against Leeds United, they better make sure they play well against Walsall and Oldham.

"If they don't play well it's easy for me to change the team.

"Everybody is looking forward to Leeds, but for me personally I have to make sure the players are focused on the Walsall game.

"The bottom line is we have got to come away with more than a point.

"Losing against Walsall, losing against Oldham and then taking something from Leeds is not the best thing.

"I want to win against all three, and that's our aim."

With a play-off place still very much top of the agenda, Malpas knows the next seven days could be pivotal to Town's promotion hopes.

But the County Ground chief insists dropping points against either Walsall or Oldham would not spell the end for his Robins squad.

He said: "If we don't win the games this week it doesn't mean our top six aspirations have gone. There's still a long way to go.

"Even if we lose the next two games it doesn't mean we can't get there, it just makes it a hell of a lot harder.

"The most important thing is to go out on Saturday and please our fans by getting three points, by hook or by crook.

"They should go away happy if we're still there or there abouts in terms of the play-offs."

Midfielder Lee Peacock should return for tomorrow's clash, but Michael Pook will miss out with a dead leg.

Simon Cox returns to the fold after serving a one-match ban, and should partner Billy Paynter in attack.

n Town striker Kaid Mohamed looks set to extend his loan spell at Torquay United by another month.

Mohamed has scored twice in three starts for the Gulls and Malpas believes the young Welshman will benefit from an extended run of games for the Blue Square Premier side.

Another striker on the move is youth teamer Jake Hyde, who looks set to link up with Weymouth.