Walsall's Vincent Harper will 'be fine' despite suffering knock in Barrow defeat

Harper, who has registered one assist in eight games in League Two this term, sported heavy strapping on his left knee after the break, and was replaced 10 minutes into the second half.

'Vincent is fine'

He was once again wearing strapping on that same knee at Essington on Thursday, but Sadler has assured that Harper will be available in Gloucestershire.

"Vincent is fine. He took a whack in the first half last week and just jarred his medial a little bit, but he's alright," boss Sadler confirmed.

Although the knock to his knee was the primary reason for his second half withdrawal, Sadler was also aware that his exploits on the international stage had taken its toll. 

International break 'took its toll'

Harper made his international bow for Kenya in a 1-0 win in Burundi, before travelling to Ivory Coast where he was an unused substitute in a 3-0 defeat. 

He only returned to the UK on Thursday evening last week and Sadler admitted that he was always going to need cover on the bench.

"We knew he travelled a lot. We always knew how Liam Gordon would come back from international duty, and with similar circumstances with Vincent being away with Kenya, we didn't quite know how that would play out," he added.

"When I saw Vinny and spoke to him on Thursday evening and Friday, it was clear that the travelling had taken its toll on him just because of where that particular camp was. 

"I certainly wanted to make sure we had cover for Vinny on Saturday [against Barrow]."