Rhys Waston warns Walsall team-mates over 'almost unplayable' Jabo Ibehre

Oct 9 2009 by Brian Halford, Birmingham Mail

RHYS Weston has warned that Walsall must be wary of the “almost unplayable” threat of former team-mate Jabo Ibehre when they visit Milton Keynes Dons tomorrow.

The Saddlers face one of their toughest away tests of the season against a Dons unit under the guidance of former Wolves midfielders Paul Ince and Alex Rae.

The Dons have such an impressive array of up-front options that Ibehre has been used mostly off the bench of late.

But the big man is a mighty presence to be able to deploy from there as the Saddlers know well from last season which the striker spent at Bescot after arriving from Leyton Orient.

Ibehre scored ten goals in 39 games but the value to the team of his work-rate and bullying defenders out of their stride far transcended that goal tally, reckons Weston.

“Jabo is a tremendous player and a real handful for the opposition,” the defender said. “He is almost unplayable really.

“He is so fit and strong and works his socks off and never lets defenders settle.

‘‘He is a great guy to have on your side. He did really well for us and is a lovely lad so I am sure we all wish him well, but not so well if he plays tomorrow of course.

“We will have a bit of a chat about him for the benefit of the lads who weren’t here last season who don’t know him so well.

‘‘But we will be talking about all their players because they are a good, strong side with quite a few threats. It will be a very tough game.”

In the corresponding fixture last season Ibehre scored the only goal to give Walsall a 1-0 win which wrecked the Dons’ hopes of automatic promotion.

The 26-year-old is likely to start on the bench tomorrow but whoever does get the nod up front for the Dons will find the towering presence of Clayton McDonald in their way in the Saddlers’ defence.

The giant defender’s loan spell from Manchester City has been extended.

With McDonald signed up again, manager Chris Hutchings has almost a full hand to pick from.

Only midfielder Richard Taundry, who is still a week away from returning after a hamstring injury, is unavailable as winger Peter Till is fit again to challenge for a place wide on the right.

WALSALL (from): Gilmartin, Weston, Hughes, McDonald, Vincent, Nicholls, Mattis, Bradley, Richards, Byfield, Deeney, Ince, Sansara, Jones, Parkin, Westlake, Smith, O’Keefe.