Walsall manager Richard Money today insisted he cannot afford Darren Byfield – despite admitting he would love to take the striker back to the Banks’s Stadium.

Money again dismissed constant rumours linking the Millwall striker with a Saddlers return and insisted the former promotion-clincher is way beyond the Saddlers’ means.

“We’d rule it out because he’s too expensive,” said Money. “I’d love to be able to sign Darren Byfield and I think he knows that.

“But, unfortunately, it’s just not in our ball game, it’s not within our budget range.”

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Walsall manager Richard Money today insisted he cannot afford Darren Byfield – despite admitting he would love to take the striker back to the Banks’s Stadium.

Money again dismissed constant rumours linking the Millwall striker with a Saddlers return and insisted the former promotion-clincher is way beyond the Saddlers’ means.

“We’d rule it out because he’s too expensive,” said Money. “I’d love to be able to sign Darren Byfield and I think he knows that.

“But, unfortunately, it’s just not in our ball game, it’s not within our budget range.”

Byfield enjoyed mixed fortunes during a previous spell of 21 months at Walsall but he will always be remembered as the scorer of the match-winning goal in the 2001 Second Division play-off final against Reading.

Speculation has persisted over a return after Byfield admitted his desire to return to the Midlands, but he is still under contract with Millwall, who are believed to have slapped a six-figure transfer fee on his head.

Byfield’s wage demands would also take him out of Walsall’s price range.

Money has, however, confirmed a possible interest in former Wales international defender Rhys Weston, who has joined the Saddlers for training.

“Rhys Weston has been here with us this week, he’s been training with his, and it’s given us an opportunity to look at him.”