Ruthless Walsall boss Jimmy Mullen has told Anthony Gerrard he will be dropped if his wish to leave affects his form.
The 22-year-old is transfer listed at his own request at the Banks’s Stadium and was subject of a late deadline day bid from Southampton on Monday.

Mullen is prepared to do without his wantaway star, if he starts thinking about a move away before the transfer window re-opens in January.

He has told Gerrard exactly that.

Mullen said: “Anthony is a very, very important member of our first team squad and if he plays to his capabilities he is a very big player for us.

“He has to clear his mind, because what I can’t afford is for anything to get in the way, in terms of his thoughts being elsewhere. I cannot afford to have players like that in the team.

“He has got to be bright and clear about the job in hand. I have told him if he is not 100 per cent right then he doesn’t play.”

Although he has backed the two-times player of the season to perform, Mullen bemoaned the current climate where agents and media coverage makes it impossible for players’ heads not to be turned.

Birmingham and Reading were rumoured to be interested in Gerrard, who has made 137 appearances for Saddlers, before Southampton made a late raid, which was swiftly rejected by chairman Jeff Bonser.

Mullen said: “He is in the situation where he knows the window is closed and he has to perform to his best for Walsall because we pay his wages.

“I am sure he was aware of interest. It is very difficult to keep anything away from players these days, because they always find out what is going on.”

Chairman Bonser had previously stated Gerrard would not be sold on the cheap, after turning down Southampton’s offer.

He said: “I stated all along the player would not be sold unless we received a substantial offer. He is a key member of our squad and has a vital role to play.”

Gerrard is still likely to feature at home to Leyton Orient on Saturday. Striker Michael Ricketts should also return after a three-game ban.