Joe Edwards back in training, but won’t be fit to face Coventry

Long-term absentee Joe Edwards is back in training, but Walsall’s FA Cup first-round meeting with Coventry will come to soon for the popular midfielder.

Voted player of the season for 2017-18 by supporters despite rupturing his anterior cruciate knee ligament against Blackburn in February, Edwards is running again and could return to action soon.

Saddlers captain Adam Chambers (foot) and Kory Roberts (broken leg) are also definitely sidelined for the Banks’s Stadium clash.

Nicky Devlin returned from injury to play the full 90 minutes of Tuesday’s defeat by Charlton and the Scottish right-back has expressed his determination to hold on to a spot in the first XI.

Amadou Bakayoko could be given an opportunity to impress for the Sky Blues – against his former club.

The 22-year-old striker left the Saddlers for Coventry in the summer, but has struggled to dislodge Conor Chaplin from the starting line-up, despite making several key contributions off the bench.

Manager Mark Robins has suggested he may make changes for the FA Cup tie, with Bakayoko set to benefit. Jack Grimmer and Brandon Mason, who have recovered from calf and hip injuries, could also feature.

On-loan Chelsea right-back Dujon Sterling has damaged ankle ligaments, while Max Biamou is absent with a serious knee injury and Derby loanee Luke Thomas may not be allowed to play by his parent club.