Mat Sadler explains 'difficult' Rico Richards decision as Walsall loanee awaits debut

Richards is still awaiting his debut after joining on a season-long loan from local rivals Port Vale on transfer deadline day. 

The 21-year-old, who previously had spells with Aston Villa and West Brom, has been earmarked as an option in both midfield and as a 'second striker' by Sadler. 

"In many ways it's hard because he hasn't been here throughout all of pre-season and he hasn't seen exactly what we do," boss Sadler explained.

"That was part of the reason why I favoured Jid [Okeke] because at least he'd had some of that experience on the Tuesday [on his debut in the win at Shrewsbury]. 

"Another good week of training for Rico will be perfect for him to get up to speed with how we want to do things." 

Fellow deadline day arrival Jid Okeke, who is on loan from Stockport County, was given the nod over Richards, and made his league debut from the bench in the 1-0 win over Chesterfield on Saturday. 

The wing-back was deployed in midfield for the closing stages, but Sadler insists that Richards' chance in the first team will soon come. 

He added: "It was such a tough decision to make whether to put Rico Richards on the bench, or Jid.

"It was a massive decision. For me, I had to think a long time and I gave myself the very most time to do it. 

"Who knows? We won the game but in hindsight we probably needed another eight in terms of the way the game worked out. 

"The good thing for us is that we've got a squad that's able to affect the game in that way, with different players, playing different positions."