Walsall vs Crewe Alexandra - match preview: Mat Sadler ponders defensive options ahead of key clash

Williams suffered a nasty collision during Walsall's 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup first round last Saturday and went to hospital after the incident. 

He was released the following day and the club confirmed that scans had revealed "no further internal damage". However, Walsall are now following concussion protocol and Williams is set to be unavailable for the weekend and the EFL Trophy tie against Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday. 

Skipper Donervon Daniels played his first competitive minutes during the closing stages last weekend while Oisin McEntee is waiting to make his return since suffering a calf injury in late-August. 

And Sadler is comfortable with the options at his disposal as he searches for a solution to Williams' injury setback.

He said: "Donervon came on and did really well the other day in tough circumstances. It's never nice coming on in that situation. 

"Ideally as a defender, you come on when you're 6-0 up and you can ease your way back into it but I thought he did really well in a tough game and in real terms it's probably best that you come on in that sort of game. 

"Really pleased for him and you all know what I think of Oisin McEntee. He's an exceptional football player and an incredible lad to work with. 

"We've got those two brilliant options and we've got Rico Browne out on loan at Tamworth who has done really well there. So we feel pretty well set at the moment but we have got Priestley (Farquharson) and Harry (Williams) out. 

"We miss them but for now hopefully I've got some difficult selection decisions to make." 

Ryan Stirk and Brandon Comley will both be available for selection after suffering with illness last week although Priestley Farquharson (thigh) and Josh Gordon (hamstring) remain long-term absentees. 

The Saddlers will be targeting a sixth win in seven league games at Bescot with only AFC Wimbledon collecting as many points (15) on home soil in League Two. 

Walsall are the second highest scorers in the division with a formidable total of 26 goals but Sadler insists his side won't be taking their strong start to the season for granted as he looks to maintain standards.

"I don't take any of that for granted. Everything that we have done in terms of the cup games that we've done has all been down to hard work and that's how we 100 per cent have to continue," he continued.

"Saturday against Bolton was great in terms of the coming together of the supporters, staff and players. We want more of those times but to get more of those times we've got to work hard.

"We've got to make sure we're prepared and completely aware of the threats of the opposition and focus on the threat we pose ourselves."