Walsall loanee Matt Jarvis fit and firing for crucial run of games

The winger, who joined the Saddlers on loan from Norwich last week, has seen his career blighted by knee and ankle injuries over the past two years.

But Jarvis made his first competitive appearance since May 2016 in Walsall’s FA Cup loss at Bolton – with the former West Ham man marking the occasion by registering two assists.

Dean Keates’ side, who are five points above the drop zone in League One, are now set for a run of games that sees them take on four teams currently below them in the table.

And Jarvis is eager to play a leading role in helping Walsall climb clear of danger.

“I’m delighted to be back playing – it’s been too long,” he said.

“I was really pleased to get 70 minutes in the tank against Bolton and feel fine afterwards.

“It’s fantastic to be out there and playing, but football is all about winning games and January is a pivotal month for us.

“These next run games of games are games we need to win. There is nothing else to focus on.

“A few are at home, a few are away and we are going out to win all of them.”

Jarvis admits the past two years have been the hardest of his life.

But he has now been training for the past three months and is confident his injury woes are firmly in the past.

“It’s been the hardest couple of years of my life for sure,” the winger continued.

“Mentally, physically it’s been draining.

“It’s been so frustrating. It’s not been one thing that’s been consistently wrong. I’ve had a knee problem, I came back from that and hurt my ankle.

“Then I picked up another niggle. It’s been so frustrating. Mentally I have had to stay strong.

“I have had great people around me, family, friends, team-mates.

“The staff at Norwich did everything they could to keep me going.

“And I worked extremely hard. And I’m happy to say I’m now fit and healthy.

“I have been training consistently for a while now. I’m feeling good and I was delighted to get two assists against Bolton.”

Walsall were leading the Trotters 1-0 at half-time on Saturday, but they collapsed after the break to concede five goals.

And Jarvis is hoping his experience will eventually help the Saddlers tighten up at the back.

“There are lessons that need to be learnt and hopefully I can help with that,” he said.

“From being in the changing room it’s clear it has happened a few times before. You have got realise, when you concede you have to regroup as a team.

“You have to go back to basics. You have to do your jobs and make sure the ball doesn’t come into the box.”