Matty Fryatt steps up training with Walsall

The 31-year-old, who is product of the Saddlers youth academy, became a huge fans favourite at the Banks’s Stadium when he netted 30 goals in 78 appearances for the club between 2003 and 2006.

A prolific centre-forward, Fryatt has scored goals regularly for Leicester, Hull and Sheffield Wednesday in a glittering playing career.

But he has struggled with injury over the past few years – with an Achilles problem ensuring he hasn't made a first-team appearance since March 2015.

Now he has teamed up with Whitney to try and put his injury woes behind him once and for all. And that could lead to him rejoining the Saddlers if he can get fully fit.

"Matty was at the Oldham game and is working hard and doing really well," Whitney said.

"He is not out on the grass yet. But I think we might reward him with some grass work this week. We might let him out of his cage.

"But his application and work ethic is a credit to Matty Fryatt.

"We all know what kind of a player he can be. We have highlighted a few areas where we think we can help him. And we are going to see a specialist this week.

"That’s not a step back it’s a step forward. We are very hopeful with Matty. We wants to stabilise him and then push him to get fitter and stronger."

Despite Fryatt progressing well , Whitney says it's too early to say whether he will be able to re-sign for the club.

"We have been adamant from the start football isn’t the issue here," the boss added.

"We need to get him enjoying life because you can get very down when you have been out injured for a long time.

"I know because I had it and we don’t want to put pressure on him because that's what other managers have done.

"He wants to come in, be somewhere where there are honest players and you can enjoy the environment.

"We don’t know yet where that is going to take us but that is what we are working at.

"We are all putting a lot of energy into it but the energy balance is equal. He is doing everything we are asking of him."