Saddlers ace Hurst is on the way back

Walsall ace Kevan Hurst today revealed his injury hell and targeted an end to his nightmare lay-off.

The winger has been out since October after breaking a bone in his heel and suffered a setback on his comeback in the 2-1 defeat at Bury this month.

He returned to training this week – ahead of a trip to former club Carlisle on Saturday – and started in the reserves' 7-0 defeat at Stoke yesterday.

"I just want to get back now. It's not for me this injury lark, I can't stand it," said the 26-year-old ex-Chesterfield man.

"I want to be involved in every game so it's been quite tough to have the relapse. It was just the way I landed against Bury and it was a lack of calf strength I guess. The pushing off has caused a little pain in the joint.

"It's nothing to do with the fracture, I had another X-ray and the doctor gave that the all clear. There's just some stiffness around the joint.

"It's been 10 weeks since I did it so I'm frustrated like that but there's nothing I can do so I'm looking to come back and make an impact."

Hurst has watched as the Saddlers have won just twice in 14 games since his injury in the 2-1 home defeat to MK Dons.

They are 20^th in League One, out of the drop zone on goal difference and locked on points with Scunthorpe and Yeovil, and the former Sheffield United trainee wants to aid the fight.

"The boys have done quite well, they've had a decent run and it's just unfortunate we haven't got the wins we wanted," he added.

"I want to get out there again and improve on what they're doing because it's what I'm here to do and what I enjoy doing."

* Walsall will pay tribute to keeper Jimmy Walker in their next home game against Notts County on January 31 after he broke the club's appearance record on Saturday.

Former record holder Colin Harrison will present Walker, now on 530 games after the 0-0 draw at Brentford, with a trophy and a commemorative shirt at the Banks's Stadium.