Farquharson grateful for first start in 15 months

Priestley Farquharson has made 37 appearances since joining Walsall from Newport County in June 2023

Walsall defender Priestley Farquharson is "grateful" to be playing injury-free as he capped his first league start in 15 months with a goal on Saturday.

Forward Aaron Pressley was missing for the trip to Harrogate after picking up a hamstring injury in training last Thursday and will have a scan on Monday to assess the extent of the problem.

But Farquharson's late goal on his first league start since August 2024 sealed a comfortable 2-0 win which lifted the Saddlers back to the top of League Two.

The 28-year-old played just three times in 2024-25 after a season-ending thigh injury and has come off the bench eight times in the league this term.

"Just getting through it in one piece was the main thing," he told BBC Radio WM.

"I'm delighted to get my first start in 15 months and to score to get a cherry on top and come out all right."

Farquharson was also limited to 21 appearances in his first season at Walsall after being signed by Mat Sadler in 2023.

However, he is now hoping work off the pitch will help him maintain his fitness as well as his place in the team.

"It's just a relief. It took a long time, but we got there and got through it fine," he said.

"I'm just grateful because I've been struggling with injuries, but hopefully that's the start of something where I can just stay consistent out there."

He added: "There's no point thinking about it (injury) because it might come and get you. So I just don't think about anything like that, and just play."