Walsall boss Chris Hutchings is facing a defensive crisis after Anthony Gerrard limped out of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Yeovil.

Gerrard was forced off with a tight hamstring, leaving Manny Smith as the Saddlers’ only recognised centre-back ahead of the trip to Scunthorpe.

Striker Michael Ricketts played the last half hour in defence with Stephen Roberts and Rhys Weston still sidelined through injury.

With Gerrard a doubt for the game at Glanford Park, Hutchings admitted his concern.

He said: “It’s always a worry when a centre-back goes off and Rhys is hopefully joining in today, but the game might be a bit too early for him.

“Anthony had a spasm in his hamstring and it was tightening up as the game was going on, so we thought we’d better put Ricketts at the back and get him off.

“Michael played there for us a very brief time a couple of matches ago, so he can head it and clear it and that’s all we wanted to do.

“We were winning the game, so I didn’t feel I had to make wholesale changes.”

The boss said he was prepared to move into the loan market, but wouldn’t have any hesitation in asking Ricketts to step in again.

Hutchings added: “We’re confident and I’m sure if I had to ask Michael to be centre back for a game he’ll do the job for me.”