Saddlers pair out of Scunthorpe clash

Jon Macken and Jimmy Walker were today ruled out of Walsall's crunch trip to Scunthorpe.

The crocked duo are sidelined with hamstring strains and although the diagnosis is positive they could be out for up to two weeks.

It is another blow to Walsall's survival fight with the pair sidelined for the trip to the relegation rivals – with the Iron locked on 25 points with 20th placed Walsall.

Defeat would plunge the Saddlers into the League One drop zone and boss Dean Smith confirmed they'll be without the experienced pair.

"I don't think they'll be ready for Saturday, that's for sure, maybe it'll be a couple of weeks," he said, after the players suffered the injuries in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat to Notts County. "We just don't know, it's a suck it and see situation.

"They both went for a scan yesterday and we don't think they are as bad as what we first feared, which is good.

"They were both very innocuous, Wacka's was pushing off and Jon's was from a shot and he caught the floor."

It was the latest injury set-back for six-goal Macken, 34, who has struggled with calf, ankle and hamstring problems this term.

And Smith admitted the Saddlers take extra care with the veterans to help them cope with the season.

"We have always nursed them and we have done that with Adam Chambers too," he said. "When they get to that 30-year-old plus mark you have to manage them better and more often than the other players.

"We've done that and done it really well. The thing is we've hardly had any soft tissue injuries all season which has kept the squad fully fit. It's frustrating it's happened at this stage of the season."

David Grof will replace Walker in goal while Smith is yet to make a call on who will lead the Saddlers' attack at Glanford Park.

But he threw down the gauntlet to back-up strikers George Bowerman, Ryan Jarvis and Will Grigg, who scored in the 2-2 draw between the sides in September.

"You have to be ready for the opportunities when they come around, that's how people go on and have good careers," he said.

"They have to go and shine and it's important they are ready for it so they can do something with their careers."