James Connolly Walsall absence explained, as Rico Browne calf update emerges

Lee Grant has confirmed Walsall defender Rico Browne was withdrawn at half-time due to a calf problem.

Browne retained his place at right-back after impressing against Leyton Orient in midweek and had a hand in the Saddlers’ opening goal during their 3-2 victory over Accrington Stanley on Saturday.

But he was replaced at half-time after appearing to struggle in periods and Grant has revealed that Browne was feeling a tightness in his calf at the break.

Browne still hopeful for Crewe

Grant is hopeful that the decision to bring him off prematurely will lead to him being available for selection when Walsall travel to Crewe on Tuesday.

“He was feeling his calf. There was maybe a chance I could’ve risked it, but he’s probably not going to tell my the full truth.

“He’s telling me his calf is tight and he’s feeling it, which means I’m really injured and I don’t want to say because obviously it’s a new head coach that he’s working with.

“We’ll see and we’ll have to assess it. Hopefully we got him off in time that he’s going to be able to recover for Tuesday.

“I think he’s reporting quite well at this moment in time. So it looks like we may have avoided anything serious.”

Connolly absence explained

James Connolly had been involved in each of the Saddlers’ opening four games, but was a surprise omission from the squad on Saturday.

But Grant has explained that his reasons were purely tactical and that Connolly will continue to be key for the team this term.

“In reality, I could’ve played him if I’m being really honest. I like to be as aggressive as I can on the bench, so he finds himself out of it,” he added.

“I can imagine that’s frustrating for him, but he understands it. I think he knows the value he’s bringing to me, hence he’s wearing the armband, has been part of four clean sheets and excellent in every single one.

“But again, the group are trusting the fact that I’ll be a team for the game ahead and the next one might be different.”