Mat Sadler issues positive Brandon Comley injury update

Comley has been out since suffering a fractured cheekbone during Walsall's 4-0 defeat against Charlton Athletic at Bescot in the FA Cup on November 30. 

The Montserrat international was initially ruled out for four to six weeks but is expected to return ahead of schedule with the aid of a protective mask. 

He remains a doubt for the visit of Doncaster Rovers on Boxing Day but Sadler is hopeful he will be in contention over the festive period.

He said: "Hopefully. I don't know about Thursday (on Boxing Day) - possibly. The mask is being fitted this week. 

"Maybe the mask maskers thought they were getting a Christmas break. He's been training because he's been able to do that but he hasn't done any contact since the Charlton game. 

"We've also got to be mindful of that but he's not far away." 

The 29-year-old has been plagued by injuries during his third season at Bescot. He suffered a fractured leg in a 3-0 defeat against Aston Villa during pre-season which forced him to miss the first seven league games of the campaign. 

Ryan Stirk has since moved ahead of him in the pecking order with all seven of Comley's league appearances coming from the bench this term. 

Elsewhere, Josh Gordon is still on course for a mid-January return while George Hall will spend at least "six to eight weeks" out with a hamstring injury.