Walsall boss Mat Sadler insists uncertainty over top scorer Nathan Lowe’s future will not derail his League Two leaders after they dispatched promotion rivals Doncaster 2-0.

On-loan forward Lowe’s 11th league goal of the season helped the Saddlers move nine points clear at the summit as they extended their unbeaten run to 12 games. Stoke City, meanwhile, were losing 2-0 at home to Leeds United and are now 10 games without a win.

Lowe's parent club have a recall option in January but Sadler says he has contingency plans in place whatever happens. “We’ve got a fantastic relationship with Stoke – Nathan is doing great and hopefully they see the benefit of what we’re doing with him for the long term,” Sadler said.

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“Whatever happens, it is what it is. We try to prepare for every eventuality and in the window we will try to strengthen, that was always the plan and always will be the plan.”

While Stoke are not believed to be looking to recall Lowe to boost their own hopes in the Championship, they could take him back ahead of scheduled with a view to loaning him out to a League One side.

Walsall have lost top-scoring loanees in the past two seasons – Danny Johnson in 2023 and Freddie Draper last winter – but they were not automatic promotion contenders, as they are this time.

“What’s clearly different is that the club is in a strong place,” Sadler said. “The chairman will back me in the way he can and we will plan as much as we possibly can whichever way it goes.

“We’re here to strengthen, to come out of the window stronger, whatever that looks like.”

Lowe steered home Connor Barrett’s cut-back to give Walsall an early second-half lead and a Harry Williams header sealed the points shortly after the defender hit the post.

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