Hutchings on Roberts' retirement
Walsall manager Chris Hutchings has spoken of the "disappointing situation" that has forced defender Stephen Roberts to quit the game.
The 29-year-old has spent most of his 15 months with the Saddlers on the sidelines with back, knee and calf injuries and has now retired.
The final straw came after the defender developed a cyst on his back and the manager confirmed the player's decision this morning.
Hutchings said: "Stephen has decided he's had enough with the amount of injuries since he's been at Walsall and we've come to an agreement where he's decided to call it a day.
"He doesn't feel he can get back to where he was before the injuries especially the last one as well. It's a disappointing situation and 'Robbo' is no longer with us.
"Since I have been here he hasn't really been 100 per cent. From January he's been injured apart for a couple of weeks.
"In pre-season he was getting back to somewhere where he was. It's very difficult when you've had that long out."
The defender, who joined on a free transfer from Doncaster last summer, made 19 appearances last season before suffering a knee injury last December.
His recovery was hampered by a persistent back spasms, but after having an operation to cure the problem in the summer he even made a successful comeback at the start of the season, making two appearances.
But the latest back problem has proved too much.
