McDonald injury boost for Walsall
Walsall have received a boost after it was revealed Clayton McDonald's groin injury is not as bad as first feared.
But the centre-back is out of Saturday's home game with Exeter, while Rhys Weston is rated just 50/50 with a hamstring problem.
Boss Chris Hutchings confirmed loanee McDonald is having treatment at parent club Manchester City, but will return to the Saddlers on Monday.
He said: "It's not as serious as first thought and he should be back training with us on Monday. He's up at Manchester City having treatment and the scans didn't reveal too much which is a big plus for us. We thought, initially, we could lose him for three or four weeks but it's not the case.
"All being well he'll be with us Monday but he's out for Saturday."
With Weston struggling, the Saddlers have just five fit defenders and two available centre-backs meaning skipper Mark Hughes and Manny Smith will start on Saturday.
Hutchings said: "Rhys pulled up with a hamstring problem on Tuesday and he's touch and go. We're just giving him as much time for it to settle down.
"We hope it's just a severe bit of cramping at the top of his hamstring."
But Hutchings believes there is enough cover to get through the weekend, after Richard Taundry and Richard Davies returned to training.
He said: "If Rhys is struggling we might have to have a look at a loan later, but we have Taundry and Darryl Westlake who can do the job for us."
