Walsall midfielder Jake Hollman set for training return 'this week' - Mat Sadler

Hollman is nearing the end of his recovery after over a fortnight out and could be welcomed back into the fold at Essington this week.

"Jake has a grade 1b hamstring. He was at two weeks and he will hopefully train on Thursday this week. It's not too serious," boss Sadler confirmed.

The 24-year-old has had a challenging start to life in England since arriving from A-League side Macarthur FC on a free transfer in the summer. 

He has played just 200 minutes across his six appearances in all competitions and has not featured in the league since August. 

Sadler puts brakes on Hollman loan exit

Sadler had previously disclosed plans that Walsall were exploring the possibility of finding him a loan spell abroad. 

His work permit rules prevent him from joining another English club temporarily, but there is scope for him to potentially move overseas. 

There has been no further progress on that situation, although Sadler has hinted at putting the brakes on any possible move in order to keep his midfield options strong.

"We're still working it out [our plans for Jake's immediate future]," he recently added. 

"Also we've let Ronan [Maher] out recently to go out on loan to get games. So I don't want to be too hasty on weakening the squad either. 

"There is a bit of everything and the balance to that is that we want him with us at the moment."

Hollman has not figured since an underwhelming second half performance during a 1-0 home defeat against Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy on October 7. 

The cup competitions have been the only real source of minutes for Hollman, with his League Two career consisting of just 40 minutes of action so far. 

Can Hollman climb the pecking order at Walsall?

He currently finds himself right down the pecking order with Courtney Clarke, Charlie Lakin, Jamie Jellis, Ryan Finnigan and Rico Richards ahead of him. 

Richards has also struggled for game time since arriving on loan from local rivals Port Vale on transfer deadline day, while Jid Okeke and Albert Adomah have been deployed in midfield on the rare occasion. 

As has often been the case during Sadler's reign, the team can change in an instant, just as it did during the 4-2 win over Newport County on Saturday. 

Finnigan scored twice on his recall to the team and Rico Browne opened his goal scoring account to consolidate his recent run in the XI. 

Sadler has called for Hollman to seek motivation from those types of examples and has not ruled out the prospect of him eventually breaking into the squad.

"Who knows what will happen in terms of the impact that he'll have," he continued.

"There has been some really good examples. Courtney Clarke has impacted games really well, Jamie Jellis seems to be coming back to where we want him to be as well. 

"Loads of competition in the squad in those positions and I don't particularly want to weaken it too soon."