John Ward is out of the race to become Walsall’s new manager with the club still quiet on their hunt for a new boss.

The Express & Star understands contact was made with Ward by the Walsall hieracy but there is now no prospect of the former Cheltenham and Carlisle boss taking the Banks’s Stadium hot seat.

Ward was widely linked to succeed Jimmy Mullen, who was sacked on Saturday. Chairman Jeff Bonser has so far refused to comment on Mullen’s sacking – fuelling speculation an appointment is imminent.

The Saddlers’ owner has dodged requests to explain the timing of Mullen’s departure and why he took the decision.

Caretaker boss John Schofield also stoked up rumours a manager will be appointed by the time the Saddlers travel to Peterborough on Saturday, admitting he had not been given a time frame for his spell in charge.

He seemed unsure if he would be leading the team at London Road.

He said: “They asked me to organise the lads for Saturday and whether I am in charge or not they will be organised. You can’t get lost with things you can’t control. If I am in charge it is important to get a result.”

Schofield, who watched Oldham’s win at home to Hartlepool last night, held a meeting with the squad yesterday, with Mullen also understood to have said his goodbyes at their Essington training ground.

The temporary boss believes the players have the mental toughness to deal with the situation, because almost all of them have experienced it before.

He said: “I’ve looked at the players and only Jabo (Ibehre) hasn’t really been in this situation before. It’s not something new but certainly not nice, it’s never a nice time.

“We have to remain professional about it – it’s an old cliche but the king is dead long live the king.”