Express & Star

Walsall v Barrow - Who's out and who's a doubt

Walsall will be looking to return to winning ways when they welcome fellow League Two play-off challengers Barrow to Bescot on Tuesday evening.

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Jamille Matt and Joe Ironside

The Saddlers' six-match unbeaten run and five-match winning streak came to an end as they were condemned to a surprise 2-0 defeat at second from bottom Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

The defeat also saw further bodies added to the list of absentees following David Okagbue's sending off and injuries to Tom Knowles and Jamille Matt.

Here is a run through of the state of play and availability in the Saddlers squad ahead of the visit of Barrow.

Tom Knowles - ankle (25%)

Knowles is a major doubt ahead of the game after he was forced off in the 16th minute with an ankle injury on Saturday.

Knowles fell awkwardly in the aftermath of a challenge from Harvey Bunker in the sixth minute.

He attempted to soldier on but ultimately succumbed to his injury and was replaced by Joe Foulkes, who impressed despite the defeat.

After the match, Sadler confirmed he had suffered an ankle injury but was unable to provide an early assessment.

Jamille Matt - hamstring (25%)

Matt will also be an injury doubt after he felt his hamstring towards the end of the first half at the New Lawn. He was replaced at half-time but it remains unclear how severe his injury is.

Sadler said: "No, I don't know on either of them (Knowles and Matt). We'll have to see. Knowles' (injury is) his ankle and Jamille's (is his) hamstring.

David Okagbue - suspended (0%)

Okagbue will serve a one-match suspension following his dismissal at Forest Green for two bookable offences.

The defender was booked twice in five minutes and was given his early marching orders for a late challenge on Christian Doidge in the 72nd minute.

His absence will provide Sadler with a defensive dilemma when Barrow visit Bescot.

Jamie Jellis - other (25%)

The midfielder is still awaiting his Walsall debut after arriving from National League North leaders Tamworth in January.

Jellis arrived at Walsall with a minor hamstring issue and Sadler has since opted to take a patient approach by easing him back into full-time football again.

He trained with the Saddlers for the first time last Thursday and will spend the coming days getting up to speed before being made available for selection.

However, you'd think that the pile up of injuries and suspensions could prompt Sadler to include him in a match day squad earlier than expected.

Sadler revealed in his press conference last week: "Jamie trained with us for the first time today (last Thursday). That was really good but we've got a bit of time to get him up to speed with everything now."

Aramide Oteh - hamstring (0%)

Oteh first suffered a hamstring injury in October and was initially expected to miss "six to eight weeks".

It later emerged that he required surgery and that ultimately led to a four-month spell on the sidelines. He made his comeback as a half-time substitute in Walsall's 3-0 home defeat against Newport County on February 10.

However, Oteh has not been involved since due to a minor issue in his other hamstring. He was absent for the defeat at Forest Green on Saturday and is unlikely to feature again for the visit of Barrow.

Sadler revealed last week: “Not yet. We’re hopeful of him being with the physios next week on the grass to then potentially come with me the week after.

“It’s probably not worth me putting a time on it. Rem is desperate to be back but he’s not quite there yet.”

Danny Johnson - toe (0%)

Last season's top scorer has been sidelined with a broken toe for two months and last featured for the Saddlers in a 3-1 defeat at Stockport County on January 13.

He spent a number of weeks in a protective boot but received positive scan results and is currently doing his rehabilitation with the physio team.

Johnson is likely to take another couple of weeks before he is fit and available for selection.

"Danny is out there with the rebab guys. I don't think it'll be long before he's out there with me but again he'll need a period of training regularly," Sadler confirmed.

"He's close as well. Whether or not the next three games come too soon - we'll see, but he's close. The same as Jamie."

Donervon Daniels - ankle (0%)

The Walsall skipper had started every league game before suffering an ankle injury during the second half of their 1-1 draw at Crawley Town on February 13.

Daniels was not involved in Walsall's 2-1 victory over Mansfield Town four days later and Sadler revealed after the game that he is set for a "few weeks" on the sidelines.

The 30-year-old is expected to miss the whole of March but is poised to feature again before the end of the season.

Priestley Farquharson - thigh (0%)

Priestley Farquharson went down with a thigh injury towards the end of the first half against Mansfield. He soldiered on for the final few minutes before being replaced by Emmanuel Adegboyega at the break.

The defender is working his way back to fitness alongside Daniels and the pair are set for a similar period in the treatment room.

"I don't think we'll see them in March but both are going well, both working really hard together and both egging each other on," the Walsall boss said.

"They are desperate to get back and play their part. There is no change in what it looks like but we'll certainly get them back before the end of the season, which is great."

Harry Williams - hip (0%)

Williams has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after requiring surgery on a hip flexor injury.

The defender first sustained the injury towards the end of December and was initially set to return at the end of January.

However, the 21-year-old suffered a setback in his recovery, before Sadler confirmed he would miss the rest of the season in order to undergo surgery.

Oisin McEntee - hamstring (0%)

McEntee will not feature for the remainder of the campaign after undergoing successful surgery on his hamstring.

The Irishman limped off in the 2-0 win over Crewe Alexandra on Boxing Day and was initially expected to miss three months.

However, Sadler did warn that it was "tough and go" if he would feature again this season and he later confirmed the worst prior to the Stockport defeat in January.