Walsall head coach Lee Grant is being cautious with Ryan Leak's return after a groin injury, stating the player was 'pretty close' but not ready for the opening game against Gillingham. Leak, 28, tweaked his groin during the Saddlers' 1-0 win at Bristol City in the Carabao Cup on August 6 and was forced off during the first half. He returned to training last Wednesday and was fighting to be fit for their League Two opener, but was not involved in the match day squad in Kent. Grant is mindful of not rushing the player back, saying, 'Pretty close, but we're mindful that it's a long season and I think Ryan Leak was ahead of schedule if I'm being completely honest.' Grant acknowledged that Leak wanted to play and his mentality is top, but added, 'In reality, hindsight tells me that he probably could've done with another week or 10 days of work and building in steadily.' The coach is willing to be patient and assess Leak's progress over the next couple of weeks, stating, 'Definitely not [a complete pause], but we've got to be mindful that he did tweak his groin. He has pushed to try to get back for this one. I think the conversation between me and him is a little bit more along the lines of steady away because it's a long season.'