Rollin Menayese: Walsall defender 'grateful' to be back after 10-month injury absence

Rollin Menayese began his career on the books at Cardiff before making his league debut for Bristol Rovers in October 2017

Walsall defender Rollin Menayese says he wants to end the prospects of any more loans and fight for his future at the club after returning from a long injury lay-off.

Menayese, 25, started his first game for 10 months at Shrewsbury in the EFL Trophy before the international break.

It was only his second game since breaking his ankle during a loan spell at Hartlepool in January.

"I'm just grateful to be back out there," Menayese told BBC Radio WM.

"There's times that you feel like you're not going to come back or not going to come back the same.

"But the support around me has been very good and I'm very grateful for that."

The former Wales Under-17 centre-back has worked his way back into first-team contention over the last few months.

"I enjoyed my time on loan but it was just unfortunate to get injured," he said.

"It's been frustrating being back as I missed pre-season and missed games and I'm catching up. I've just got to keep working.

"The manager's been good with me and been honest and helped me improve."

'Pushing each other in gym'

Saddlers head coach Mat Sadler has not been the only one who has been supporting Menayese in his rehabilitation.

Midfielder Jack Earing has also been working his way back from a long-term injury, having suffered knee ligament damage around the same time as Menayese broke his ankle.

Jack Earing is also hoping to return to first-team football after damaging his knee against Mansfield on New Year's Day

"When I heard he was injured I was gutted for him," Menayese said.

"Weirdly, it was nice to do [rehab] with him and have someone there at the same stage - both running at the same time and pushing each other in the gym.

"I know it was bad for him to be injured but it was nice to have someone there - you know what he's going through.

"You can see the progression [they make] and sometimes you don't see it [your own progression] yourself but he'll see it and say 'you're getting better at this' and I'll tell him 'you're looking much sharper' so it's really good."

Now restored to full fitness, Menayese wants to put down roots at Walsall, having previously been on loan at Swindon, Aldershot - while at Bristol Rovers - and Grimsby, during a year at Mansfield, before joining the Saddlers in the summer of 2021 and being loaned to Hartlepool last season.

"I've been on loan a few times and I just want to settle and I'm happy at the club," he added. "I want to kick on and try to fight for a position here.

"Competition always brings the best out of you and we always push each other to get better. We have a really good group."