Mat Sadler explains Daniel Kanu transfer timeline after Jonny Stuttle injury

Many would suspect that Walsall reacted quickly on the market to find a replacement, which is in some part true, but the Charlton loanee has been on Walsall's radar throughout Sadler's reign.

"Daniel has been one that I've tried to sign a number of times. Last summer, January and this summer throughout the window," Sadler revealed.

"He has been one that I have known about for a long, long time. My best friend Andy Whing was the opposing manager when he played against Solihull Moors and he scored four goals in that game. 

"Probably since that moment is when Daniel has been properly on my radar."

The 20-year-old made his debut from the bench and was twice denied by Salford goalkeeper Matt Young in the Saddlers' 1-0 win on Saturday.

A manic Thursday evening at the training ground eventually saw Walsall sign the paperwork in time for him to make his Bescot bow.

"We're pleased to finally get him in here and these things happen very quickly. It was all go on Thursday night when I got the call very late at the training ground," he continued.

"Our owners have been brilliant and Ben Sadler has worked his socks off. And to get it in the time [to be eligible for the 1-0 win over Salford] we were on the training ground on Friday morning not knowing if it was still through yet. 

"But the work these guys do in the office to get things done before 12pm did the job for us." 

Bournemouth opted to terminate Stuttle's season-long loan spell after the teenager suffered an ACL injury in the 1-0 home defeat against Grimsby Town last Tuesday. 

Sadler has praised Bournemouth for the way they have acted during such a difficult situation and is hopeful the young striker will comeback stronger from his latest setback.

"We were very quick and I knew about it in our press conference on Thursday last week in terms of what the injury [with Stuttle] looked like," he added.

"A little bit different to normal, we usually allow these types of injuries to settle down, especially muscular problems. 

"But we kind of half knew what the situation was going to be, so we got it scanned first thing the next morning and then got the answers to it. 

"Matt Harold at Bournemouth has been amazing and the guys there have been top drawer. They'll now look after Jonny which of course is the most important thing." 

Stuttle scored twice during pre-season and was also starting to show promising early signs alongside strike partner Aaron Pressley. 

And Sadler has not ruled out the possibility of linking up with Stuttle again in the future.

"Jonny is an amazing guy and I thought he was really starting to hit his straps in our colours," he concluded. 

"In the game itself on Tuesday night, he was incredible and really showed an athleticism and a willingness to do the hard stuff that will epitomise his career. 

"It'll make his stronger and he'll comeback from it. Who knows what the future holds between me and him, but he's in the best care now."