'He is frustrated' - Mat Sadler opens up on Jamie Jellis' injury at Walsall
Mat Sadler admits Walsall midfielder Jamie Jellis is still not "100 per cent" after a stop-start season.
Jellis has been nursing an abdominal issue for much of the campaign and also sat out the Saddlers' 2-0 win at Harrogate Town last weekend due to illness.
Although he has trained with the first team at Essington this week, Jellis remains a major doubt ahead of the top-of-the-table tussle against Bromley at Bescot on Saturday.
The 24-year-old has not featured since Walsall beat Eastleigh 3-0 in the FA Cup first round on November 2 and Sadler revealed that his recovery has not been straightforward.
Jellis recovery 'not a straight line' - Sadler
"It's been one thing after the other, but we're trying to pull things back together," Sadler said.
"He has trained this week and is still feeling the affects of the abdominal inflammation that he has.
"So he's probably not running on 100 per cent in the way that he would want to and that we all want him to as well.
"Only time is going to help in terms of strengthening it in the gym and working away from here.
"There will come a point when he'll be back fully fit and raring to go. That will hopefully be sooner rather than later.
"At the moment, he is just seeing how things are. Seeing how it settles down and reacts after training.
"It's not a straight line but there will come a point when he will be unleashed again."
Jellis has had a challenging few months at Walsall in the wake of his betting investigation earlier this year.
The midfielder was eventually handed a suspended five-month ban, but a combination of injury and illness has prevented him from building any rhythm or consistency.
Jellis 'is definitely frustrated'
His first full season in the Football League last term heralded seven goals and two assists in 55 games across all competitions.
In total, Jellis has featured 14 times this season, registering two assists, and Sadler says Walsall will support him in his quest to get back to his best.
"He is definitely frustrated because Jamie is a winner," the Walsall boss continued.
"Jamie is desperate to play and get back to doing what we all know he can do for the team.
"His network with us is important. He is living away from home and away from all of his family and friends.
"Some of those things aren't spoken about but it's a very important factor. We have to keep looking after him.
"He is a young man who I admire immensely and somebody who I've come to have a close relationship with.
"I only want the best for him and sometimes that is not just on the grass, but everywhere in his life.
"We'll keep working together because he is a top lad, a top professional and a top player."
