Saddlers make Gowling move

Walsall have confirmed they have held talks with Bournemouth defender Josh Gowling over a move to the Banks’s Stadium.

Manager Jimmy Mullen revealed that the former Albion trainee is one of a number of central defenders to have spoken to the Saddlers about signing for next season.

The 23-year-old former Albion trainee is out of contract with the Cherries and looking for a move closer to his roots in Coventry.

Mullen said: “He is one of a number of centre-halves that we have looked at and spoken to, but at this stage that’s all it is.

“We have spoken to Josh and to his representatives and we may speak again, but that is as far as it goes for the moment.

“Nothing has been decided or finalised. There are a number of central defenders that we are looking at.”

League One new boys Hereford are also thought to be keen on Gowling, who has been offered a new contract at Dean Court but looks likely to move on.

He has confirmed the receipt of three contract offers, including one from a club “close to home”.

The 6ft 3in defender started his career as a trainee at Albion and has gone on to make 94 appearances for the Cherries after a brief spell with Danish club Herfolge, who were run at the time by former Albion director Clive Stapleton.

Walsall are in need of new faces at centre-back, having sold Scott Dann in January and released Ian Roper in May.

That has left them with just player-of-the-season Anthony Gerrard and rookie Mannie Smith for next season.

Mullen confirmed he would be looking for more options.

He said: “You can’t go into a season with only two recognised centre-backs at the club. That just wouldn’t work.

“So it is one of the areas we are looking to strengthen in and we have spoken to a number of people but we haven’t decided anything yet.”