Walsall boss singles out Rico Browne for praise as Harrison Burke return nears
Mat Sadler has singled out Rico Browne for praise after the Walsall defender has stepped up in the absence of Harrison Burke.
Browne has started the past five games in League Two since Burke was side lined with a knee injury in early October.
Sadler revealed after the Saddlers' 2-0 defeat against Colchester United on Saturday that he is "hopeful" Burke will be able to return to first team training this week.
But despite feeling the absence of Burke, Sadler has been pleased with how Browne has stepped into the breach and rose to the challenge in recent weeks.
"I trust Rico. He is exceptionally quick, he is one of the quickest guys here," boss Sadler said.
"He rivals Connor [Barrett] in terms of his speed. At times, when it's the right time, we want him to rival that in the final third because that can be even more of a challenge.
"Even in those couple of defeats a few weeks ago, Rico had chances in both of those games that could've gone the other way in open play.
"Really pleased with him in that. As always, it will be his defending, I think he slides across the pitch well, he's aggressive in the wide areas when he needs to be and defends the box well.
"He'll continually learn with someone like Aden next to him."
The 21-year-old, who joined Walsall as a free agent in September 2024, scored his first senior goal during a 4-2 win at Newport County on November 8.
In total, Browne has played 11 times for the Saddlers in all competitions this term, including seven starts in League Two.
Elsewhere, Walsall's round of 32 tie at Stevenage in the EFL Trophy will be played on Tuesday, December 2.
