Another injury blow for Walsall's Sam Mantom
Sam Mantom has suffered a setback in his return from injury after it was revealed the Walsall midfielder may require exploratory knee surgery.
The 22-year-old will see a surgeon tomorrow to decide what next step to take, in trying to cure a problem which has kept him out for almost the entire season.
It had been hoped a growth hormone injection last month had cleared the injury once and for all.
But Mantom has again experienced pain in the knee and manager Dean Smith admits exploratory surgery is now an option.
"He will be going to see the surgeon tomorrow to have a chat with him to see if he needs to go in," said Smith.
"It has been a long running saga which has not been nice for him our ourselves."
When asked if the growth hormone treatment had failed, the manager added: "We are not sure, hence the trip tomorrow.
"He is still feeling it a little bit. For a period it was okay and then he is feeling something now so it is a case of going to see the surgeon.
"I'm sure the surgeon may recommend a scope to be put in to have a look, which was always a last resort."
