'Doubts' - Mat Sadler issues uncertain injury assessment on Walsall pair

Burke was forced off just before the hour-mark during the Saddlers' 2-1 win at Bristol Rovers last weekend, before Kanu hobbled off later in the game. 

Sadler confirmed afterwards that Burke had suffered a knee injury, while Kanu, who has scored three times this season, was struggling with a calf problem. 

Both were not in the squad for the midweek defeat against Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy and Sadler initially expected the picture to be clearer closer to the weekend. 

Double doubt

However, although he has not ruled either of them out, Walsall will continue to assess them over the next 24 hours.

"Neither of them trained earlier in the week and both are still doubtful for the weekend," Sadler confirmed.

In addition, Walsall will be without regular left wing-back Vincent Harper and Derby County loanee Dan Cox, who have been called up for Kenya and Wales under-21s respectively. 

'I'm not resting' - Sadler on his options

Harper has started the last seven league games since replacing Mason Hancock following his knee injury, as Courtney Clarke looks set to deputise at left wing-back. 

Sadler has been pleased with the wealth of options across his squad, but won't be resting on his laurels amid the relentless challenges that a season will pose.

"I'm not resting on that either because things change really quickly," he said when asked about his selection options," he added.

"We saw in the last game that we took two injuries and things change again. 

"They're all good things to talk about. We want to try and be as thick as we can as a squad, we want to have as many options as we can to change things through our finishers. 

"But most importantly, we want to underpin everything we do through our shape, discipline and structure, then hopefully our athleticism comes to the fore."