"That's the goal" - Harrison Burke publicly states Walsall promotion target

Burke made his return from a lengthy injury layoff when he made his first league appearance in almost four months during the 2-2 draw at Chesterfield on Saturday. 

He feels that the patient approach taken towards his recovery has helped him regain his sharpness and hopes that he will reap the reward for his work in the shadows during the League Two run-in.

'Our goal is to be in League One next season'

"I had a couple of chats with the gaffer, but I've had to show patience and believe that my time will come," Burke said.

"I've been putting in the work off the pitch, on the training ground, and then when my opportunity does come, to make sure that I take it. 

"Sometimes it's the work that people don't see which is what makes you a better player. 

"People obviously want to be in the headlines, but if it's not you, then you don't sulk about it, you work harder and maybe one day it will be you. 

"But even then, you don't get too high. You've got to remain humble because like I keep saying, our goal as a team is to make sure that we're in League One next season."

The 23-year-old made nine league appearances prior to suffering a knee injury in early October and scored his only goal with the match-winner against Salford City.

He sustained the injury during a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers, who Walsall face at the Memorial Stadium in the reverse fixture tonight.

Burke has played twice since the turn of the year, as he made his comeback in a 4-2 defeat at Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy on January 14.