DWAYNE Mattis' injury is not as bad as first feared.

The combative midfielder was stretchered off the field of play on Saturday with a leg wound before being taken to Walsall Manor Hospital.

The 27 year-old received seven stitches to the gash in his calf. The stitches will remain in place for two weeks. Once they have been removed, Mattis will resume training and begin his rehabilitation.

"It's a bit of a blow to be without Dwayne for a few weeks but it could have been worse," explained Saddlers' boss, Chris Hutchings. "The cut looked worse than maybe it was at the time. He's had the injury seen to and dressed now and, once the stitches have been removed, he'll join back in with the group."