Walsall boss Chris Hutchings sympathises with crocked defender Stephen Roberts after the news he will be out for at least another two weeks.

The defender is sidelined until at least the start of March with a bulging disc in his back. He has been out since injuring his knee at Huddersfield in December.

Rhys Weston is also absent with a calf injury, leaving Hutchings with just two recognised centre-backs in Manny Smith and Anthony Gerrard.

The manager feels for Roberts, who has battled against a succession of injuries this season and been limited to 19 starts.

He said: “I think he’s in so much pain since his back’s been in spasm that he hasn’t had the chance to think about anything else.

“Back problems are probably the worst you can get as it just affects everything you do. If you cough it hurts and you can’t walk freely.”

Hutchings is unable to put an exact time frame on the 28-year-old’s recovery.

He said: “With back problems it’s very difficult, it’s a matter of time and work. It certainly won’t be in the next two weeks or anything like that.”

But the boss has received a boost with Weston progressing better than expected after being carried off in last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Colchester.

The manager said: “Rhys has done a little bit of jogging which was a plus for us because we thought he’d be longer term rather than shorter team,” said Hutchings.