High praise for Mat Sadler from Walsall boss Darrell Clarke

As he continues to impress in his new role off the field, 35-year-old has only made six appearances on it this season, with half of them coming in cup competitions.

But he shown how worthy his experience is when he has played – proving to be a calming influence in defence.

Sadler has largely featured as a centre-back in his time with Walsall and in previous years, although he did play as a left-back earlier in his career.

He re-prised that role last week against Port Vale and Clarke has been pleased with his application.

When asked about Sadler’s reliability, Clarke said: “He is, and he’s grown into his coaching role as well.

“He’s very busy on that side of things and has kept himself ticking over in training.

“He’s doing brilliantly. He can do a job and epitomises what we try to do at this football club.

“When he goes out there, he never lets anyone down – no matter the position.

“He gives me an option at left-back or the left side of centre-half.

“He says up front as well but I’m not having that one!”

Meanwhile, striker Elijah Adebayo has praised Sadler and his fellow coaches for developing him as a player.

The towering forward has impressed so far this campaign and when asked about his improved movement in the box, he said: “That’s credit to the backroom staff and Darrell Clarke’s coaching team.

“I was getting a few goals and they were finding ways for me to score more goals and be in better positions.

“We looked at it and worked on it to make sure I’m in and around the front post to make sure if the cross beats the first man that I’m there to win the second ball. For me I would credit Mat Sadler and Brian Dutton for looking at those videos and seeing where the crosses are coming in and ways I can score more goals.

“Goals win you games so if we’re going to score more we have to find every solution. Look at the set piece against Bolton, that’s another thing we looked at to beat the opposition in different ways.

“I’m very thankful to have Mat Sadler and Brian Dutton coaching me on ways to score more goals.”