Walsall defender Harrison Burke "unlikely" to be available for Cheltenham trip
Mat Sadler says Walsall defender Harrison Burke is "unlikely" to be available for their trip to Cheltenham Town on Saturday lunch-time.
The 23-year-old has missed the last two league games due to a knee injury, which he suffered during the second half of the Saddlers' 2-1 home win over Bristol Rovers on October 4.
Burke, who has scored once in nine league appearances since arriving from non-league Chester in the summer, has not yet trained this week.
Sadler revealed he has been working with the physio staff and is trying his hardest to be fit, although he expects it to come too soon for the young centre-back.
"Harrison is trying his socks off to be back, but it's probably unlikely," Sadler said.
"He has still been with the physios this week and with Jonathan Fenner [strength and conditioning coach].
"But he's not been with me yet. We hope for Eastleigh, but if not then it'll be Newport.
"After Saturday's game [at Cheltenham], there will be two more weeks until we play another league game, and we're targeting that Newport match as the time that, fingers crossed, he'll definitely be back."
Rico Browne, who has started back-to-back games in the league for only the second time, is likely to deputise in defence again if Burke is not involved in Gloucestershire.
Walsall pair Matt and Richards 'available again'
Elsewhere, Rico Richards and Jamille Matt were left out of the squad in the Saddlers' 2-1 defeat against Barrow at Bescot last weekend due to illness.
Sadler has confirmed that Matt, who turned 36 on Monday, and Port Vale loanee Richards, have now recovered and will be available for selection again.
"They've trained all week and they've had a really good training week," he added.
"Jamille turned 36 on Monday, so luckily for him, he wasn't poorly on his birthday."
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