Lee Grant explains Ronan Maher and James Connolly absences for Walsall | OneFootball

Lee Grant says Ronan Maher missed Walsall’s 0-0 draw at Leamington with an elbow knock, which he does not see as long term.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, Maher sat out Saturday’s pre-season opener in Warwickshire, where the Saddlers could not find a breakthrough against their non-league hosts.

Grant said the club must be careful with the injury and that it might take about a week before Maher returns to contact work, otherwise there are no concerns.

The 21-year-old made four Walsall appearances last season before joining Tamworth on loan, scoring four and providing two assists in 22 games.

Five of Walsall’s six summer signings featured at Leamington, with James Connolly the only absentee among the new faces. The centre-back joined earlier this month on a two-year deal with an option after leaving Crewe Alexandra.

Grant described Connolly’s omission as precautionary, noting that pre-season loads vary and he did not want to overextend the defender.

Jed Ward, Sven Sprangler and Andrew Dallas played the first half, while Lewis Simper and Coventry City loanee Isaac Moore featured after the interval.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com