Walsall midfielder Dean Keates today backed team-mate Martin Butler to end the season as Saddlers’ leading scorer – despite moving within two goals of topping the list himself, writes Steve Madeley.Keates took his tally for the season to eight with a penalty and a stunning free kick at Macclesfield on Tuesday and he has now set his sights on reaching double figures.

But the popular midfielder is adamant he will not deny 10-goal Butler the title of top scorer in his first season back at Bescot.

“It’s always really nice as a midfielder to score goals and I’ve been lucky to get a few this season,” said Keates.

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Walsall midfielder Dean Keates today backed team- mate Martin Butler to end the season as Saddlers’ leading scorer – despite moving within two goals of topping the list himself, writes Steve Madeley.

Keates took his tally for the season to eight with a penalty and a stunning free kick at Macclesfield on Tuesday and he has now set his sights on reaching double figures.

But the popular midfielder is adamant he will not deny 10-goal Butler the title of top scorer in his first season back at Bescot.

“It’s always really nice as a midfielder to score goals and I’ve been lucky to get a few this season,” said Keates.”Eight is already my best ever total for a season and there are still 16 games to go, so I’m definitely looking to get into double figures now.

“If I can get double figures and the club can push on and wrap up promotion it will be the perfect season for me.”

Saddlers will spend the next two days monitoring Butler after he was forced to leave the field after just 16 minutes at Macclesfield because of illness.

Transfer deadline day passed yesterday without any further business at Bescot following the departure of James Constable to Kidderminster on a permanent deal early in the day. Money had hinted strongly that new faces were unlikely.