Walsall's Adam Chambers has foot operation
Walsall’s Adam Chambers has undergone surgery on a broken foot – with the skipper not expected to return to action for another 10 weeks.
The 37-year-old hasn’t featured for the Saddlers since breaking his fourth metatarsal during the opening day victory over Plymouth.
It later emerged the injury would need surgery – with Chambers having now successfully gone under the knife.
But while that is likely to keep the midfielder out until November, boss Dean Keates says he is still having a positive impact on the squad.
“He (Chambers) has had an operation – he has had a plate put in his fourth metatarsal,” the boss said.
“It’s now a case of him doing his rehab and letting the foot settle down.
“I think we are looking at around the eight to 10 week mark before he is back playing.
“But Chambers is a great pro. He is back in the building, he comes in on his crutches.
“And he is a good character to have around the place.
“He is very fit. You look at his age, you have to be fit to still be playing at this level at that age.
“He looks after himself. And a character like that is great to have in the group. He has always got a smile on his face and is contributing in that way.”
Meanwhile, Keates believes his fringe players have thrown down the gauntlet to his regular starters following their impressive showing in the Checkatrade Trophy win at Burton.
A Saddlers team, with an average age of 21, secured at 2-1 win at the Pirelli Stadium on Tuesday.
And Keates feels his younger players are taking on board what he is telling them.
“I ask the players to come in every day and listen and they are doing that,” the boss added.
“As I’ve said from the start, it’s about habits for me. Monday to Friday, we push them and we test them. Then they go out there on a Saturday to enjoy it.
“That’s what’s happened so far but it needs to continue. We have had a good start but that’s all it is. It has given us confidence and some momentum.
“At Burton, the team that played pushed the bar again and raised the standards. They gave a great display.
“And now whoever faces Barnsley today will have to take the baton and go forward again.”
