Walsall Head Coach Matthew Taylor has spoken to the local press and sought to clarify the reason behind winger Otis Khan's no-show during Saturday's defeat to Mansfield Town.
Khan, who remains in negotiations over a contract extension at the Banks's, was a notable absentee during the two-nil defeat to the Stags, but Taylor insists it had nothing to do with the ongoing talks.
Meeting the media just moments after the Saddlers had slipped to their second defeat in as many games, Taylor revealed that Khan had been taken ill during the night, leading to his absence from the matchday squad.
Speaking via the Express & Star, Matthew said; "The contract negotiations are out of my hands. They’re with Otis’ people and the football club.
Khan, who remains in negotiations over a contract extension at the Banks's, was a notable absentee during the two-nil defeat to the Stags, but Taylor insists it had nothing to do with the ongoing talks.
Meeting the media just moments after the Saddlers had slipped to their second defeat in as many games, Taylor revealed that Khan had been taken ill during the night, leading to his absence from the matchday squad.
Speaking via the Express & Star, Matthew said; "The contract negotiations are out of my hands. They’re with Otis’ people and the football club.
"Would I like Otis to stay? Yes, he’s done well for us. But Otis needs to make that decision.
"He’s not here because at 8am, I was told he’d been up all night being sick and was ill, so that’s where we are.
"He was due to be in the squad. That’s the truth. I understand there’ll be hearsay, but I have no reason to tell any untruths."