Mat Sadler explains Walsall priority for Elicha Ahui as he continues ACL recovery
Mat Sadler says "recovery and rehab" are the priority for Elicha Ahui before Walsall reach a decision on their future plans for the defender.
The 21-year-old joined Walsall in January but was loaned straight back to fellow Trivela-owned outfit Drogheda United - where his previous deal had expired - until January 2026.
Walsall had a recall clause for the full-back in the summer, but Ahui has not featured for Drogheda since suffering a rupurted ACL in June.
Ahui penned an 18-month deal when he joined the Saddlers, which is due to expire next summer, although the club do have the option to extend by a further year.
"Elicha had a really bad injury. For now, it's recovery and rehab," Sadler revealed.
"I don't expect to see him in either football club's shirt [Drogheda or Walsall[ for some time yet.
"The most important part of that journey is his rehab and getting him back to fitness.
"That's the plan at the moment."
There is no exact timeframe over when he will be available again, although Ahui confirmed on his Instagram account that he will be out of action for an "extensive spell" a month after suffering the injury.
Ahui has played 49 times for Drogheda across three separate spells and scored once in eight games in the League of Ireland during the 2025 season prior to his injury.
He has also had spells at Gainsborough, Peterborough Sports and Ayr United, and made one appearance for Lincoln City, where he started his career.
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