Walsall striker Jamille Matt "fighting to be fit" for Salford clash
Walsall frontman Jamille Matt is "fighting to be fit" for Saturday's clash against Salford City at Bescot although Mat Sadler will approach his comeback with caution.
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Matt was forced off with a hamstring injury in the 33rd-minute during Walsall's 3-0 defeat against Bradford City at Valley Parade last Saturday.
The 35-year-old, who has scored nine goals in League Two this season, sat out the 2-0 setback at Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night.
Sadler has not ruled Matt out for the weekend but did stress the importance of easing him back into the fold.
He said: "Jamma is fighting hard to try and be fit for the weekend. We'll give him as long as we can on that but he's not a million miles away.
"We know there is a long journey over the season left. So I won't be rushing him back if that is going to hinder the next 18 games just for the sake of playing him for one.
"I'll make sure that when he is back, he will be ready."
Manchester United loanee Ethan Wheatley was handed his full debut in Matt's absence in midweek while Albert Adomah has started every game since Nathan Lowe's recall by Stoke.
Danny Johnson and Josh Gordon also finished the game at Fleetwood and Sadler has backed his attacking options to rise to the challenge after two games without finding the net.
"Of course, Jamille is an incredible person and a fantastic character for the young players," he continued.
"We're fortunate that we've got Albert (Adomah), Danny (Johnson) and a younger option in Ethan Wheatley.
"Josh Gordon is also on his way back so we've got options but of course we look forward to Jamma coming back because of the person that he is."
It was difficult to gauge the impact 19-year-old Wheatley could have in Walsall colours following his first senior start.
But Sadler expects the youngster to demonstrate his strengths and play his part between now and the end of the season.
"Ethan wants to learn," the Walsall boss added. "He has got incredible gifts and I think we'll see that over time.
"He is an incredible athlete and has electric speed which is something we haven't had.
"I probably said last season during January but there is always that little period where slight adjustments are made to the team. That's expected and we're going to go again."
