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Westlake feared ankle break

Image: Darryl Westlake: Thought that he had broken his ankle in the Birmingham Senior Cup

Walsall defender Darryl Westlake has admitted that he was worried he had broken his ankle last month.

Walsall defender does not think he is ready to play against Charlton

Walsall defender Darryl Westlake has admitted that he was worried he had broken his ankle last month. The youngster returned in Tuesday's 2-2 reserve team draw with Nottingham Forest after being sidelined for five weeks with ankle ligament damage. The right-back feared that he had suffered a serious injury after falling awkwardly in the Birmingham Senior Cup against Hednesford. "I thought it at the time - because of the amount of pain I was in - but luckily I didn't break it," Westlake told the Express & Star. "At the start I was in so much pain, I couldn't walk and I was on crutches but I've built the strength up. The staff said I'd done the ligaments but I didn't have to go for a scan or anything.

Blowing

"From the start Jon Whitney (physio) said it would take about a month to six weeks and it's been five so it's feeling good. "It's still a bit weak so I need to keep strengthening it but I played 90 minutes yesterday and it felt good. It's getting there." But Westlake, 20, thinks that he is best off missing Saturday's League One clash with in-form Charlton. He added: "It's up to the gaffer but personally I'd say it was a bit too soon. "I was blowing towards the end yesterday so I don't think I'm 100 per cent fit yet. I'll keep working hard in training and get a few more games and then I'll be ready to go. "Lee Beevers has been playing well lately so it's down to me to keep impressing in training and show the gaffer I'm back and I'm ready to get my place again."

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