Walsall loan defender set to miss at least two weeks with thigh injury

The Pole was also an unused substitute in the goalless draw against Accrington last Saturday, but was not involved in the squad in another stalemate with Crawley Town on Tuesday evening.

Lopata set for short spell out

He is not expected to be available for the trip to Chesterfield on Saturday and could possibly be out of action until Walsall visit Grimsby Town on February 18.

"Kacper is just feeling his thigh a little bit. We just need to be careful and mindful with him because I don't want it to turn into anything worse," Sadler revealed.

"I'd imagine so [that he will miss Chesterfield on Saturday] and he'll probably be out for a couple of weeks now. 

"With the games as they are, the next week might be tough, but then hopefully we will be looking towards the Grimsby game.

"If we did risk him right now, I think he would run through a brick wall and do himself some real damage. 

"Knowing the type of person he is, we're just going to bring him out of it for a little bit."

Harrison Burke makes another step on the comeback trail

Lopata played three minutes on his Walsall bow (excluding added time), after spending the first half of the season on loan at League Two rivals Bristol Rovers.

Harrison Burke stepped up on to the bench at his expense in midweek, but has not featured in the league since suffering a knee injury in early October. 

The 23-year-old made his comeback from his lengthy spell on the side lines when he started for Walsall in a 4-2 defeat at Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy on January 14. 

Rico Browne is also capable of offering covering at the back, although he has not figured in the league since a 2-0 defeat at Cambridge United on New Year's Day.