Kacper Lopata receives injury boost as Walsall absence explained

Kacper Lopata is set to be in contention for Walsall’s final fixture at Bromley on Saturday - although Alfie Chang has been ruled out with a knee injury.

Polish defender Lopata has not featured in the past two games and Darren Byfield has since revealed that the Barnsley loanee has been struggling with a groin issue.

Lopata in contention, Chang out

He returned to training on Thursday and could be welcomed back into the fold, but midfielder Chang has not trained and won’t be fit for selection.

“Kacper was back training today. He had a groin injury. He trained and it someone that we could probably look at,” interim head coach Byfield revealed.

“I don’t know if it’s come too early, or too late. I’m not sure, but everyone else is ready.

“Changy is still struggling. He didn’t train [on Thursday] - so he will be a no.”

Lopata has featured eight times since arriving on loan in the winter - while Chang has made just six appearances after re-joining until the end of the season during January.

Matt to be assessed

Meanwhile, Jamille Matt trained on Thursday and will continue to be assessed, after missing all of Byfield’s nine games at the helm so far due to a knee problem.

The Walsall captain has not started a game since he was forced off at half-time during the Saddlers’ 2-2 draw at Chesterfield on January 31.

Brandon Comley was forced to drop to the bench for their 2-0 home defeat against Harrogate Town last weekend because of a knee issue, but is expected to be available.

“Jamille has got through today but then it’s how does it feel tomorrow,” he added.

“Coms didn’t start the last game because of his injury that he had and we didn’t think we could get him through it.

“He has now come through and he has trained today as well which is good news.”