Walsall were today rocked after Steve Jones suffered a setback in his injury battle with the stunned Saddlers unable to name a comeback date.

The nine goal top scorer was missing from last night’s 2-1 defeat to Norwich despite returning to training last week following a groin injury.

Jones, who has been out for seven weeks, suffered a relapse on Monday and boss Chris Hutchings doesn’t know when he will return.

He said: “Steve’s had a recurrence of his groin injury so it’s a matter of day by day. He trained Thursday and Friday and worked extremely hard but on Monday he felt some discomfort again. It’s back to the drawing board.

“He’s worked extremely hard in the gym and it’s another setback for him. It’s got to strengthen and it’ll take time but hopefully we can get it right sooner rather than later.”

Hutchings is confident the 33-year-old will not need an operation to cure the problem but has ruled him out of Saturday’s trip to Gillingham.

“We don’t think he needs an operation, it’s a matter of stabilising the core area, strengthening and working. We don’t envisage him being fit for Saturday,” he said.

“An operation is always the last thing but the doctors don’t think it’s necessary.”

Dwayne Mattis is also an injury doubt after he limped out of the second half last night with a calf injury.

Hutchings added: “We’ll have to look at it tomorrow and Thursday and see how he is. The heavy pitches have probably caused it because his workrate was immense last night.

“We didn’t want to make it any worse which is why we took him off.”

The news compounded the Saddlers’ woes after they were the victims of a late smash and grab raid by League One leaders Norwich.

Troy Deeney had put them ahead but goals from Chris Martin and Cody McDonald sent the Canaries three points clear of Leeds at the top.

And, despite defeat, Hutchings was pleased with his team’s efforts.

He said: “We got ourselves into a good position and had a few chances but then we conceded two bad goals, especially the first one which was very sloppy. It was disappointing in that respect but you can’t fault he lads for the effort and commitment.”