Sports reporter

Published 20th Feb 2026, 12:54 BST

Updated 20th Feb 2026, 12:57 BST

The 21-year-old leads the way for Walsall on the goal scoring front with 16 in all competitions, but missed the 2-2 draw at Grimsby Town on Wednesday night due to illness.

But Sadler has revealed the extra two days afforded by the fixture switch to a Monday evening has increased his chances of being involved.

Walsall monitoring Kanu "very closely"

"He was first not well on Monday morning. He still tried to come in but we had to send him home," boss Sadler said.

"That was a similar thing on Tuesday. He was going to try and come in, but then the sickness continued once he got moving.

"We're just monitoring him very closely. It's really important that he begins to get eating properly again and returns to a more normal routine.

"If it was a Saturday game then we might have a bit of a problem. With it being Monday, we've got a little bit more time to build him up.

"Fingers crossed that will be the case."

Club captain Jamille Matt has not featured since he was forced off with a hip problem during the Saddlers' 2-2 draw at Chesterfield on January 31.

The 36-year-old has also recently had a scan, followed by an injection, on a separate knee issue.

Matt to train again after knee setback

Walsall will train on Saturday and Sunday ahead of the visit of MK Dons, with Matt set to be involved in those preparations.

"He'll train on Saturday and we will give him the best chance of being available," he added.

"We'll assess him after Saturday and see where we go heading into Sunday's session.

"That's the good news. He will train with us on Saturday and will hopefully be available for Monday."

Matt has played 30 times for Walsall in all competitions this season, scoring three goals.

Walsall issue updates on Daniel Kanu and Jamille Matt ahead of MK Dons clash

Mat Sadler has said Walsall will be monitoring Daniel Kanu "very closely" ahead of their crucial clash against promotion contenders MK Dons at Bescot on Monday.