Injured Isaiah Osbourne still in Jon Whitney's Walsall plans

The 28-year-old joined the Saddlers in the summer after turning down the chance to extend his stay at League One rivals Scunthorpe.

But the combative midfielder picked up a serious knee injury shortly after his arrival, which forced him to undergo surgery. Six months on, the former Villa man is yet to make his debut, but Whitney insists he could still appear this season as the Saddlers look to clinch promotion in their last nine games.

"We are planning to have him playing this season," the interim boss said. "Our plan is to get him back into the group and then if he is fit enough and good enough he could play this season. He will be judged on merit.

"He is outside and doing really well. He is chomping at the bit to play and I have done a few sessions with him. The good news for him is that we are training outside now, the training ground is back.

"The white lines are marked out and it's a really good time for us. It's a change in seasons and Walsall Football Club has had a change in fortunes this year.

"We are having some success but we deserve that success for all the hard work we have put in.

"If Osbourne performs, he has every chance of being in my squad."

Whitney is hoping to have skipper Adam Chambers and striker Jordan Cook fit for Saturday's trip to Sheffield United after both missed the 2-1 win over Colchester.

And he revealed his team won't be set in stone over the coming weeks, with places in the starting XI always available if players impress.

"It's the same case for Isaiah as it is for everyone in the squad," Whitney added.

"Anyone who performs has a chance of playing – that is how I want to be as a manager."