Saddlers blow as Adam Chambers is injured

Walsall must tackle the next phase of their League One campaign without their midfield combat leader Adam Chambers.

The 31-year-old anchor-man suffered a hamstring injury which is likely to keep him out for at least the next four matches.

Chambers had to be carried from the pitch after 34 minutes of the 3-0 Capital One Cup defeat at QPR last night and manager Dean Smith confirmed: "We believe it is a Grade A hamstring injury and that usually means an absence of around three weeks."

It puts Chambers on the sidelines for a spread of games, starting with back-to-back home clashes against Brentford and MK Dons followed by trips to Portsmouth and Stevenage, which will tell Smith much about his team's prospects this season.

He added to his numbers yesterday by signing left- back Andy Taylor on a non-contract basis, the former Sheffield United player stepping straight into a debut at Loftus Road last night.

But Smith felt that neither Taylor nor his team were disgraced despite the exit to a full-strength QPR.

"I was pleased to see the Rangers team-sheet – it was a mark of respect which told me we had earned the right to be taken seriously," he said.

"Against the calibre of players we were facing we were never going to have a lot of opportunities but when they did come along, we had to take one of them.

"We had our moments and obviously Will Grigg hit the bar which otherwise might have changed things.

"But I felt the players gave a good account of themselves. They relished the chance to face these players and I was pleased they had the confidence to play their football.

"We were far from disgraced and if anything that final scoreline was a little unkind to us."

Taylor was playing his first game since the play-off final with Sheffield United but is relishing the chance to turn his non-contract agreement into a longer deat.

"I enjoyed it – although I think a little fatigue got to everyone over the final stages," said Taylor. "But I am happy to have this chance and want to do enough in the games ahead to convince the club to offer me a contract."