Lee Grant issues injury update on Walsall defensive duo ahead of Accrington clash

Lee Grant has revealed Walsall defender Ryan Leak will be available for the visit of Accrington Stanley on Saturday, although Roman Dixon is unlikely to be involved.

Leak has not featured since sustaining a groin issue during the Saddlers’ 1-0 victory at Bristol City in the Carabao Cup first round on August 6.

The 28-year-old returned to training over three weeks ago, but Grant has been mindful of rushing him back into the team.

Dixon has also missed the past two games with a knock and Grant does not expect him to be fit for the weekend.

Grant issues double injury update

“Ryan is available for this weekend,” head coach Grant confirmed.

He continued: “I don’t expect Roman to be part of the squad on Saturday.

“Again, he’s another one that has come in later, not done the full six weeks of pre-season with everybody else and has taken a knock.

“We’ve got to be mindful that we’ve got a knock plus we’ve got a body that hasn’t had the foundation of work and the six weeks of exposure to the load and the training stimulus.

“I think it would be daft of me to try and rush him back into a position where he’s starting games immediately this weekend.

“Whilst I’m not worried long-term at all, we’ve just got to be careful and we showed with Ryan that if we can manage people and adjust and adapt then it gives them a better place to start from long-term.”

Dixon made his debut in the 3-0 victory over Gillingham on the opening day, after joining the club earlier this month following his release from Everton.

Leak was also among the 14 summer arrivals after penning a deal with the Saddlers off the back of a successful trial during pre-season.