Walsall patient but hopeful over Flo Cuvelier
Walsall are staying positive over Florent Cuvelier but must wait a little longer to discover the true exent of the midfielder’s latest injury.
The results of a preliminary scan on a knee injury sustained by the 25-year-old during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Northampton have been described as encouraging.
But the club’s medical staff are waiting for the swelling around the Belgian’s left knee to reduce before making a more precise prognosis on how long he will be sidelined. Cuvelier was making only his second appearance after missing almost two months with a calf problem and has seen his career to date blighted by injury.
The former Stoke youngster suffered a career-threatening injury while on loan at Port Vale in 2014.
Since joining the Saddlers in the summer of 2016, following his release by Sheffield United, Cuvelier has been limited to just 31 appearances, including 22 starts. He suffered his latest injury following a challenge by Northampton’s Matt Crooks which was later described by Walsall boss Jon Whitney as a “really bad tackle”.
Speaking after Saturday’s game, Whitney said: “A lot has been said and after the Northampton game my thoughts were with Flo Cuvelier.
“It’s something in his knee. We are just hoping it’s nothing too sinister.”
Defeat at Northampton halted a three-game winning run for the Sadders but defender Jon Guthrie insists the squad remain in good spirits ahead of the festive period, which begins on Saturday with a trip to Rochdale.
“Before Northampton we had been on a really good run,” said Guthrie. “We are not going to get too down on ourselves and we are going stay positive for the game against Rochdale.
“We got the early goal on Saturday which was a great start for us. But I think it was key how quickly they responded. It hurt us.
“We were disappointed with the way we let them back in. And from that point it turned into a bit of a scrap and unfortunately we couldn’t get back in to it.
“You have always got to look at yourselves after a loss.
“I think we have to remember going forward is that we must keep playing how we want to play.
“At times it was difficult to get any rhythm out there.”
