Walsall boss powerless over duo

Walsall boss Richard Money admits he may be powerless to keep key loan duo Michael Ricketts and Peter Sweeney at the Banks’s Stadium.

But the Saddlers boss reckons he will be able to bring in Championship-calibre replacements if he does lose the pair.

Ricketts’ loan spell expires in February and while Money is hopeful of securing a longer deal for the Oldham striker he admits the situation is far from cut and dried regarding the former England international.

Similarly Sweeney is due to return to go back to Stoke at the end of this month – a situation that would leave Walsall with the prospect of losing two influential players in the New Year.

But Money insists his record in the loan market – combined with the resources at his disposal – means he will not be panicking if he loses the pair.

“Of course I’d like Peter Sweeney to stay and Michael Ricketts to stay, but the reality is they’re not our players,” the manager said.

“But our record in the loan market since I’ve been here would suggest that if they do go back, we’ll bring somebody in of equal quality. 

“We won’t bring somebody in from nowhere. It would be somebody hopefully from a Championship club that can help us.”

Both the Saddlers and today’s FA Cup opponents Millwall are pledging to wheel and deal in the loan market in the coming weeks – with the Lions also facing the prospect of a player exodus in the coming weeks.

The South Londoners have midfielder Ahmet Brkovic on loan from Luton, but he is due to return to the Hatters after today’s match.

Striker Jay Simpson has recently extended his loan spell from Arsenal until the end of the season, however, a situation which has delighted boss Kenny Jackett.

“I’m very pleased that he will be staying until the end of the season,” he said.

“Jay is a very promising young player who I am sure will improve further during the second half of the campaign.”