00:00Hi folks, I was at Essenton earlier today where I spoke to Matt Sadler, head of Walsall's home fixture against Chesterfield on Saturday.
00:09And, you know, we've kind of already gone over his assessment of the transfer window and in particular the potential lack of options in attack.
00:21And on Tuesday he talked about the fact that he views Rico Richards, who arrived on loan from Port Vale on transfer deadline day, as a potential option as a second striker.
00:29And also said he went to that competition for the number eight positions.
00:35And then it was posed to him whether he's, you know, considering dipping into the free agent market.
00:41And he didn't really give a definitive answer on that.
00:44He used the opportunity to praise the PFA scheme and said, you know, he is fully aware of the options.
00:51But again, said he doesn't want to, I guess, bend on his principles and bring anyone in that he doesn't feel fits in terms of character and the type of player as well that he wants to bring on board at the club.
01:03So, you know, not necessarily clear on that situation.
01:07But as it stands, you know, Aaron Presley and Daniel Karno look to be the main front two going forward.
01:14And then, you know, Albert Odoma and Jumiel Matt as the alternative options.
01:18And there's been sort of question marks over those two, especially the latter.
01:21Albert Odoma was very good the other night, particularly in the second half.
01:24He kind of burst into life after maybe a slow start, scoring his 100th club career goal.
01:30And then bagging an assist for new man Jid Okokie.
01:34And then in terms of injury news, Priestley Farkerson went off with a groin issue just before half time.
01:43And Sadler said, you know, that Priestley knows his body better than anyone and just felt something for, you know, not going to risk this and got off that pitch as soon as he could.
01:51He's having a scan on Friday.
01:53Doesn't expect it to be anything serious.
01:57So, you know, hopefully we could have an update on that on Saturday or latest next week.
02:02So we just have to kind of wait and see on that one.
02:04But, you know, I had a really difficult time with injury.
02:07So I think when he came off at the end of that first half, there were fans worried because, you know, it's been a difficult couple of years for Farkerson.
02:13And we're kind of hoping this season will finally be the one that he can prove his worth in Walsall Colours.
02:18Jamie Jealous also struck by a groin injury, which he'd been nursing now for two or three weeks.
02:24And he was able to start MK Dons, but came off at half time.
02:28He then sat out in midweek, you know, as he as he was expected to.
02:34And yes, Sadler said he's kind of touch and go at the moment.
02:36So another major doubt for Walsall, which could hand Ryan Finnegan his first league start.
02:42He obviously scored five minutes into his first Walsall start in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.
02:49And Evan Weir, as Matt Sadler confirmed on Tuesday, has overcome the knock, which he's suffered at MK Dons,
02:57which forced him off around the half hour mark after a late challenge from Luke Offord.
03:02So he is available once again.
03:04So expecting the same back three that started in Buckinghamshire on Saturday last week.
03:10And then finally, Dan Cox has been called out for Walsall's Under-21, so will be on international duty.
03:17And I think really that brings us to kind of the end of things, really, in terms of what was discussed at the press conference.
03:23And yes, stay tuned across the Express and staff for plenty of quotes from Matt Sadler and build up to the game on the weekend.
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