"It would be wrong" - Walsall boss refuses to put timeframe on Harry Williams' return

Lee Grant says it would “be wrong” to set a timeframe on the potential return of injured Walsall defender Harry Williams.

Williams, 23, has not featured since suffering an Achilles injury during the Saddlers’ League Two play-off final defeat against AFC Wimbledon at Wembley in May 2025.

That forced him to miss the whole of last season and it’s still unclear when Williams will be fit again.

Grant not willing to “rush” Williams

But Grant has stressed that he will not be rushing him back and that Williams is heading in the right direction.

“I think it’d be wrong for us to push Harry and for anybody to try and put a number or a timescale on that,” head coach Grant explained.

“He has got work to do. He knows that and he’s working incredibly hard behind the scenes to put himself in a position where he’s going to be available hopefully this calendar year.

“We’ll just see, but there’s no timescale on that. The most important thing for him is that he progresses and gets to where he needs to, which is back out on the pitch, in a healthy and solid position.

“There is a bit of a way to go for him, but he’ll be fine.”

Grant added: “There’s no rush, it’s just get right. Anybody when they’re injured, whether you’re out for a week, or you’re out for 12 months.

“The most important thing is when you arrive back in training or on the pitch, it’s to be ready to play.

“And not be: ‘I’m forcing my way out there, but I’m maybe two weeks short’. It’s my job and the staff’s job behind the scenes to make sure we give the players that opportunity, which we are doing.

“He’ll have the time he needs, but he is moving in the right direction.”

Williams joined Walsall from non-league Alvechurch in the summer of 2023 and has scored three goals in 56 appearances for the club.

He penned a fresh two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months in September 2025.