Walsall Head Coach Mat Sadler provided an update on Danny Johnson and Owen Evans after they were not named in the squad for Saturday’s postponed Emirates FA Cup clash with Alfreton Town.
Evans was forced off with a calf injury against Barrow last Tuesday and Sadler was sweating over his fitness ahead of the trip to Derbyshire.
Sadler is expecting more news on the goalkeeper’s condition and revealed Johnson picked up an injury that ruled him out at the weekend.
Speaking to reporters following the postponement, Sadler said: “It was a shoulder injury for Danny.
“He picked it up against Barrow the other day so unfortunately, he wasn’t able to play. Hopefully it won’t be too long with that but it was too painful for him to play (on Saturday).
“Owen had a scan on Friday. The results haven’t come back yet but we’ll know more (early this week).”
There was some good news on the injury front as Ross Tierney was named in the starting XI after missing the last month and Sadler is pleased to see players making their way back.
“We’ve missed Ross,” Sadler admitted.
“Oisin comes back into it as well (after serving a ban).
“We’ve had so many injuries and (on Saturday), we had some of those important players out there for us.
“Priestley fit, Oisin back into the team, Freddie in the team again and Ross was back so we’re starting to get those guys back into the squad.”
Another boost came on the bench as Jack Earing returned from his 11-month absence with a knee.
“Delighted to have him back and I wanted to try and get him some game time, I really did,” Sadler commented.
“I was desperate to try and get him to play some minutes which would have been great.
“It’s great to have Jack back because he’s a fantastic player and a great guy.”
The second-round trip to Alfreton has been rearranged for Tuesday 5th December, 7.45pm.