Walsall hope for Williams return

Sam Williams' loan spell at Walsall has been cut short by injury - but manager Chris Hutchings hasn't ruled out a return.

Sam Williams' loan spell at Walsall has been cut short by injury - but manager Chris Hutchings hasn't ruled out a return.

The Villa youngster was sent back to his parent club last weekend for treatment on a hip injury, but has failed to recover in time to face Yeovil on Saturday.

The striker made five substitute appearances for the Saddlers, scoring once in the 2-2 draw at Hartlepool.

His loan was due to expire after Saturday's match, but boss Hutchings insists once he is fully fit, Williams could return.

The manager said: "It depends how seriously his injury is, but he contributed in every game took part in and it's something we would look at, obviously.

"It's disappointing for him, because he'd settled in well. If any player gets injured it's disappointing, especially if he's come in on loan.

"It's in the hands of the medical people who need to make sure he's right.

"He's had problems with hernias in the past. This is connected with his hip and he's got to make sure he's 100 per cent, before he trains or goes anywhere."

But the 21-year-old's recovery has been hampered by the specialist who treats Villa players being out of the country.

Hutchings said: "Sam is still waiting to see the specialist. Jon (Whitney, Walsall physio) was saying the specialist they normally see is out of the country, so they're just monitoring his progress and seeing what happens."

The Saddlers squad is likely to be unchanged for Saturday's visit of the Glovers, with Stephen Roberts and Rhys Weston expected to miss out through injury.

Hutchings added: "Roberts is making slow progress and Rhys has trained for the past couple of days with the physio on his calf, but whether he will be OK for Saturday remains to be seen."