Mat Sadler issues positive update on Walsall defender Harry Williams

Williams has not featured since suffering concussion following a nasty collision with the advertising hoardings during Walsall's 2-1 win over Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup first round earlier this month. 

The defender, who was sent to hospital after the incident, was forced to miss two games prior to the international break but was declared fit last week after returning to full training at Essington. 

However, Sadler has not included Williams in the past two match day squads, although he is now confident the 22-year-old will be fit for selection ahead of Walsall's FA Cup second round tie against League One side Charlton Athletic at Bescot on Saturday.

Sadler said: "He is now. He's back into the swing of things training wise. 

"I've been a little bit cautious with him if I'm honest because I wanted to make sure he was fully OK. 

"He did a session yesterday (on Monday) where I was like, yes you're back. That was probably the first time where I thought that maybe he is kind of over it now. 

"So again, we'll look to use all of the lads in the coming weeks." 

Williams has enjoyed a breakthrough season with Walsall this term after his debut campaign was cut short by a long-term hip flexor injury in January. 

He initially started the current campaign on the bench until Oisin McEntee's calf injury presented him with his first league appearance in over eight months at the end of August. 

The centre-back, who arrived from non-league Alvechurch in 2023, has since played 16 times in all competitions and scored his first goal for the club in Walsall's 6-2 defeat against Fleetwood Town at Bescot in October.