Walsall vs Tranmere Rovers: Who's out and who's a doubt?

Josh Gordon - hamstring (20%) 

Gordon has been out with a hamstring injury since hobbling off during Walsall's 2-1 win over Cheltenham Town in late-August. 

The striker returned to full training at the end of last month and is edging closer to a return although this weekend is likely to come too early for him. 

However, Sadler does have plans to welcome him back at Peterborough United in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.

"My intention is for Josh to be in the squad in that game (at Peterborough on Tuesday). We'd love to get him on the pitch as well," boss Sadler revealed. 

"There will be a reintegration period but I'd love for Josh to be involved in that game. 

"That's certainly part of the plan, probably a couple weeks ahead of where we were maybe thinking but he's worked so hard."

Jack Earing - ankle (0%) 

Earing missed the New Year's Day win at Notts County after being forced off late on during Walsall's 2-0 win over Newport County in the final game of 2024. 

The midfielder produced an influential cameo from the bench but had to be replaced in the 89th minute. 

Manager Mat Sadler admitted at full-time that it "didn't look great" but was initially unable to provide a timeframe. 

He underwent surgery on Thursday and Sadler has confirmed that Earing will miss the next "10 to 12 weeks". 

Sadler said: "Jack had surgery on his ankle. Hopefully we'll see him before the end of the season but he'll be out for a bit of time. 

"Maybe around 10 to 12 weeks, something like that. Whenever that takes us to, either into April or just before but around about that time." 

George Hall - hamstring (0%) 

Birmingham City loanee Hall has not been involved since suffering a hamstring injury on the eve of Walsall's 1-0 win over Barrow in mid-December. 

The 20-year-old returned to his parent club to continue his rehabilitation, with Sadler initially earmarking a potential "six to eight week" absence. 

However, Sadler has now revealed that the midfielder has suffered another setback after requiring surgery and expects him to be missing for a similar time frame to Earing.

"George will probably be a similar time frame to Jack," Sadler added.

"That's what we thought initially (that he'd be out for six to eight weeks) but he saw another consultant when was back at Birmingham and had a surgery on his hamstring which hopefully will provide the real answers he has needed. 

"He's another one that we're hopeful of getting back before the end of the season and nothing would please me more to see him back with us." 

Ronan Maher - ankle (0%) 

Sadler has revealed Maher is set for a "few weeks" of rehabilitation as he recovers from an ankle injury he sustained while on loan at Tamworth.

He said: "After the initial thought of Ronan being a long one. He is the opposite so he's worked very hard and healed very quickly. 

"Probably trying to pull the reigns on him a little bit because of how desperate he is to be out there. We've got to tick all the boxes with Ronan but he's certainly not far away."

Priestley Farquharson - thigh (0%) 

Farquharson has suffered a setback on his road to recovery from a thigh injury which has kept him out since August. 

The defender, who has been plagued by injuries during his 18 months at Walsall, was targeting a return after the New Year. 

Sadler revealed last month that he had participating in the warm-up in training for the first time as he edged closer to a return. 

But the centre-back went to see a specialist last week and is now expected to spend a further two months out of action. 

Sadler revealed earlier this month: "Priestley unfortunately had a setback last week. He saw a specialist on Wednesday whose confirmed it's a decent setback. 

"So he's probably looking at another couple of months on the side lines which is a real kick in the teeth for him. 

"We're gutted for him and will need to rally around him."