"Difficult" Walsall boss Mat Sadler makes admission over January transfer window

Lowe scored 18 goals and set-up five more in 30 appearances for Walsall during his loan spell from Stoke City. 

The 19-year-old, who has been nominated for League Two player of the season, was recalled by the Championship outfit in January. 

Since, Walsall have collected just three wins from 21 games and sit outside the top three heading into the final game, after previously boasting a 12-point lead at the league summit.

When questioned about the January window, Sadler said: "We've still got a very strong squad. We've spoken about Nathan Lowe loads, it's very difficult to replace that. 

"There's no shying away from that. He was very difficult to replace but we've replaced him with guys who've given and will continue to give everything. 

"We've obviously shuffled the pack slightly in terms of the shape we've played. I think here have been some positive signs with it and we need to improve and get better in that shape. 

"But we just have to keep making sure that the guys who are here, who are playing and are giving everything, that they go into every game with the belief we're going to win the next game."

Walsall travel to local rivals Crewe Alexandra on the final day trailing third-place Bradford City by a single point. 

They extended their winless run to 13 games after falling to a 1-0 defeat against Accrington Stanley at Bescot on Saturday. 

January recruits Ellis Harrison and Levi Amantchi have netted three goals apiece while Ethan Wheatley has made just four appearances since arriving on loan from Manchester United.

Wheatley was not involved against Stanley after scoring twice for the Red Devils in a 4-2 win over Everton under-21s on Friday night.