Saddlers winger Kevan Hurst steps up recovery from 'bizarre' injury

Walsall manager Dean Smith today confirmed crocked Saddlers ace Kevan Hurst has upped his recovery from his "bizarre" injury.

But the winger is still three weeks away from returning after breaking a bone in his heel in the 2-0 defeat to Milton Keynes Dons in October.

Hurst was expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks and has now ditched the crutches as he works with physio Jon Whitney.

The 26-year-old has made 19 appearances – scoring twice – since his summer move after being released by Carlisle and Smith insisted he is fighting back.

He said: "Kevan is starting to put it right, he went on a 10-mile bike ride with Jon Whitney the other day and he's getting there but you can't rush a broken bone.

"He was put in a boot and he had crutches for a while but it was a bizarre injury, a broken bone in his heel, and a very rare one. It's probably tested the medical staff too.

"He's on the road to recovery and slowly but surely he'll get there."

Darryl Westlake will also be out for a further week with a twisted ankle suffered in the 6-5 Birmingham Senior Cup defeat to Hednesford at the start of the month.

The right-back was expected to only miss two weeks.