Swindon Town caretaker boss David Byrne believes that Sofianne Zaaboub might consider swapping his trademark mittens for boxing gloves at the Banks's Stadium this afternoon.

Byrne and the former glove-wearing County Ground enigma, who joined Walsall in the summer, will get the chance to continue their love-hate relationship when the two sides meet today.

Byrne and Zaaboub had a tempestuous association at times – once having a slanging match in the dug-out during a reserve game when the Frenchman was substituted.

When asked whether Zaaboub would still be wearing the gloves that covered his hands even when the sun was shining, Byrne smiled: "Maybe he'll be wearing some boxing gloves," before adding, "We did have a bit of a love-hate relationship.

"I have spoken to Sofi since he has been at Walsall and there is absolutely no problem between us.

"He is a typical winger; if he's in the team he loves you and if he's not he hates you.

"I am looking forward to seeing him on Saturday and if he plays up against Jack (Smith) that will be a good battle.

"I am sure he will be knocking on (Walsall manager) Jimmy Mullen's door hoping for a start against his old club."

One player unlikely to start, however, is Town striker Barry Corr.

The Irishman is struggling to shake off the effects of a calf strain that saw him miss Tuesday night's draw with Peterborough just days after grabbing a second goal in three starts at Bristol Rovers.

It is the latest in a catalogue of injuries that have hindered Corr's County ground career.

"Barry needs a consistent run in the team if we are to get anything out of him," Byrne admitted.

"That has not happened because he keeps picking up silly little niggles one after the other.

"It is unfortunate because he had forced his way back into the team after scoring two goals in as many games.

"Barry does wear his heart on his sleeve and is desperate to get back into the team.

"He has already told me that if he is in the side he will score me goals.

"He is a one goal in two games type of striker as his record proves and we are desperate to have him back in the side.

"We need him to be fighting fit over a longer period of time, though, to get him that run of games he needs."

Byrne takes charge of his fourth game since being installed temporarily following the departure of Maurice Malpas just over a fortnight ago.

He remains unbeaten so far after overseeing three draws – although only injury-time goals have prevented him celebrating his first victory.

The results, he says, have neither helped nor hindered his chances of landing the job permanently. "It is all about results," he said. "We have played some good sides in recent weeks so, while the draws may not have helped, they certainly won't have hindered my chances.

"We have been unlucky to concede those late goals and the fact that they have both been world-class strikes does stick in the gullet a bit.

"At least we have stopped conceding cheap goals; we have been a lot more compact defensively in the last three games. We haven't looked like conceding from a set-piece and once our luck turns someone is going to get a real hiding." Could that be Walsall? "They have had a good start and Jimmy has done a great job," Byrne added.

"They are a similar side to us in that they have a hard-working group of players who can beat anyone on their day."

Swindon (from): P Smith, Brezovan, J Smith, Kanyuka, Ifil, Aljofree, Timlin, McGovern, Nalis, Peacock, Easton Pook, McNamee, Cox, Paynter, Corr.