Walsall boss Brian Dutton hopes to see best of Callum Cockerill-Mollett after stop-start season

The defender suffered a torn hamstring at the beginning of January 2020 and missed the rest of the last campaign, which was curtailed early in March.

Despite that, he was given a new contract but after falling out of favour with former manager Darrell Clarke – and picking up more knocks – he has only played 10 times this season.

Since Dutton has taken charge, so far managing six games, Cockerill-Mollett has made two starts and one substitute appearance and the boss insists there is more to come from the 22-year-old.

"Callum has done fantastic for me," Dutton said.

"I had an honest and frank conversation with him. He's had a really bad injury and some terrible luck. Every time he looks like getting a bit of momentum he's broken down with another injury.

"I feel like he probably hasn't fully recovered from his previous injury, but he's another one who has such a strong mindset that I've had to give him some game time ahead of schedule.

"He's done that and put his body on the line for Walsall. That's credit to him.

"We want to get him up to speed, we aren't seeing the best version of him just yet. It's one to monitor as we have a duty of care."

After Zak Jules left for MK Dons and George Nurse returned to parent club Bristol City, Cockerill-Mollett is battling Max Melbourne for a place in the team.

The Lincoln City loanee has featured heavily under Dutton, who has praised his 'phenomenal' attitude.

"Max is very dynamic, he's played for Lincoln left of a back three and has played left-back and left-wing-back for us," Dutton said.

"When you bring loans in you always question whether they are prepared for the fight and whether or not they will give their all for the club. Some of them use loan clubs as a stepping stone to get back in at their parent club or manoeuvre a move.

"But Max is sensational with his attitude and work-ethic. He must have had one hell of a fantastic up-bringing by his family because he gives absolutely everything for Walsall.

"He had an ankle the size of an orange against Bradford in the warm-up and I had to drag him out of the changing room and tell him that I wasn't prepared to risk him.

"His mentality is so strong. He wanted to play, he was desperate to play.

"For a loan player to have that mindset is phenomenal."