Sam Mantom takes big step on Walsall recovery

The 22-year-old has not kicked a ball this season after suffering a knee ligament injury in the summer.

After seeing Mantom suffer several setbacks in his bid to regain fitness, Smith is remaining understandably cautious but does not believe it will take last year's player of the season long to get up to speed.

"It's a big step to get him on the training ground and in among the players again," said Smith.

"The only thing which will be missing is match fitness – he has been doing all the work with Jon Whitney and it is just about him getting back into the swing of it.

"He has been working all the way through it. It's just striking a ball that was a problem. Hopefully he can be in the team as soon as possible."

Smith will welcome back Romaine Sawyers for tomorrow's home game against bottom of the table Crewe Alexandra after the forward returned from international duty with St Kitts and Nevis.

Andy Taylor is also recovered from the illness which forced him out of the 2-1 defeat at Oldham though top scorer Tom Bradshaw is only rated at "50/50" as he continues to recover from a hamstring problem.

Bradshaw has missed the last two games after aggravating his right hamstring in the 1-1 draw with Bristol City.

With this being the second time the striker has been out with the same problem, Smith is almost certain to exercise caution.

"We are still not sure," said Smith. "We will give him another day and see how it is.

"It is similar to the problem James Chambers had, both are fatigue injuries and what we don't want to do is bring him back and let him miss more games.

"Knowing we have three games in a week, we have to know he is right."

Sawyers is back after St Kitts were knocked out of the Caribbean Cup. Smith added: "They didn't qualify but there were some good games and he has enjoyed himself."