Walsall captain Donervon Daniels backed to play key role despite recent injury setback

Daniels was forced off after 23 minutes during Walsall's 4-2 defeat at Peterborough United in the EFL Trophy earlier this month and is expected to miss the next "eight to 10 weeks" after receiving his scan results. 

The 31-year-old has been restricted to just nine appearances in all competitions this term after struggling to regain his place following a two-month absence due to a knee injury at the start of the campaign. 

He also had a lengthy spell out of action with an ankle problem at the start of last year but Sadler still feels Daniels can play his part off the pitch over the coming weeks.

The Walsall boss said: "The Donervon injury was hard because I know how much he puts in and I knew that he needed our support which has got wholeheartedly because of the captain and leader that he is. 

"Now he will be able to lead and be a captain in a different way on the side lines which he is already doing. Gutted that Donervon is out but we'll also feel his presence off the pitch in the way that he does things." 

Daniels' absence has prompted questions over whether Walsall will enter the market for another centre-back in the January transfer window. 

But Rico Browne, Evan Weir and Oisin McEntee offer extra defensive cover and Sadler is confident with the options at his disposal.

He added: "We've got Rico and I think we're reasonably stacked in there. Oisin McEntee is playing in midfield at the moment but he also provides a defensive option. 

"Unlikely (that Walsall will be on the market for another centre-back). Potentially but unlikely though."