Walsall facing injury crisis ahead of Oldham clash
Walsall will be handing opportunities to some young talents in tomorrow's clash with Oldham after an injury crisis has left them with 14 senior players.
The Saddlers have enjoyed a two-week break in their fixtures due to the FA Cup weekend but have emerged with dwindling numbers after several players picked up knocks in training.
As manager Darrell Clarke bids to get his side back on track tomorrow, Walsall are expected to have a handful of academy prospects in the ranks.
"We've had a bit more bad luck, quite a few players have picked up a few injuries," Clarke said.
"It's been a good two weeks because we obviously got some good work into the players but it's also disappointing to pick up a couple injuries."
When asked who was injured, he added: "I'd love to tell you that but I'm not going to do some other manager's job for them.
""It's been disappointing in that aspect but it'll give one or two of our younger boys the opportunity to come and impress and stake their claim.
"One or two that have maybe been unfortunate that they've not had the chance yet this season.
"I'm down to 14 senior players on Saturday and one of those is a player-coach (Mat Sadler).
"Then you have five or six 18 or 19-year-olds amongst that.
"I'll be working with some of the second-year scholars from Monday onwards, bringing four or five of those up, looking at the future of the football club.
"We'll also look for one or two favours in the loan market come the end of the window. I'd like to add one or two players to the squad with the injuries we've picked up."
One of the players that will be involved in the matchday squad is Sam Perry.
The midfielder has made one senior Saddlers appearance, playing the full match against Portsmouth in the EFL Trophy last season.
Just over a year since that impressive display the 19-year-old is likely to get his next chance.
"We've been very unfortunate not to get any reserve games into Sam because of the bubbles," Clarke said.
"The academy has had a lot of scares regarding Covid so we've had to separate the bubbles at times.
"Sam has not played as many reserve games as we'd like but I've kept him patient and kept working with him.
"He will be in the matchday squad come Saturday. He's another one that may get one or two opportunities in the next few weeks.
"I quite like Sam, I think he's going to be a good player.
"Alfie (Bates) is in a very similar position in deep-lying midfield. Alfie is a little bit more experienced but I like Sam Perry and with the way he's training those opportunities will come sooner rather than later."
