Ryan Woods lines up FA Cup revenge

Town were paired away to the Saddlers in round one for the second consecutive season when the draw was made.

It is a tie that holds special significance for Woods, 20, who spent four years on the books with Walsall's youth team before he was released at 15.

And having since graduated from Shrewsbury's youth set-up into the first team, he had been looking forward to beating his former club when the teams met in last year's FA Cup.

Things did not go according to plan though as Town were easily beaten 3-0 at the Banks's Stadium.

But the squad underwent radical surgery in the summer under new manager Micky Mellon, and Woods believes next Saturday's match will be a different story.

He said: "I can't really believe the draw but I was begging for it if I am going to be honest.

"Since I left there as a young boy I have never beaten them and it would be very nice to go there with a much-improved team and show the what we are about.

"It was a massive disappointment when we went there last year. We got turned over and were very poor. They were a good side so I take nothing away from them but this year it is completely different.

"We have got a very good side down here now and we showed against Chelsea in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday that we can pretty much do anything on our day."

Woods, from Norton Canes in Staffordshire, was raised by a Walsall-supporting father. But he insists that there will be no split loyalties when the teams lock horns next weekend.

He said: "My dad used to go to every Walsall game he could possibly go to but obviously he comes to Shrewsbury games now."

Another player in the Town team that lost heavily to Walsall last year was striker Tom Bradshaw, who then moved to the Banks's Stadium in the summer.

And he has wasted little time proving himself in his new surroundings scoring six goals in 12 games, including the winner against Chesterfield last weekend.

And Woods says he is looking forward to seeing his old team-mate again, although he will not be wishing him the best for the occasion.

He said: "Bradders' is doing very well there. I wish him all the best but I hope he has a bit of a shocker against us."