‘Outstanding’ Liam Kinsella hailed by Walsall boss Dean Keates

Kinsella, a Republic of Ireland under-21 international, has largely had to make do with a place on the substitutes’ bench this season.

But he put in a man-of-the-match display in the win at Bristol Rovers last month.

And he’s continued that form in recent weeks with impressive showings against Coventry and Fleetwood.

It means Keates will soon have a tough decision to make with Osbourne close to getting back to full fitness.

“Kins has done what Kins has done – he’s been absolutely outstanding,” the boss said.

“He was outstanding at Bristol Rovers and all the times he’s been called upon this season. It was the same against Fleetwood last week. He has done very well.

“Isaiah is not far off, his hamstring tightened up but he is very close to joining back in with the group.

“We will see how he goes over the rest of the week.

“We have pushed him and pushed him and it’s first soft tissue injury we have had.

“But he didn’t join the group until late. We got a lot out of him, maybe it was a bit of fatigue.”

Following the draw at Fleetwood, player-coach Russell Martin hailed Kinsella’s recent performance.

But the 32-year-old said he felt the youngster could be even better if he believed in himself a bit more.

And Keates feels that is true about a lot of he players in his squad.

“It’s not just Kins, I think it’s the whole group,” the manager continued.

“I think sometimes that is a thing for us, the players need to have a little bit more belief in the way they go about themselves.

“They are young, enthusiastic and I think sometimes the little but of maturity they lack leads to them having a little bit of disbelief in themselves.

“But when they are working hard and playing on the front foot, they have shown they are a match for anybody.”