Mark Rees has called on Walsall to stick with tradition and continue to put their trust in youth.

The ex-Saddler, an integral part of the side that reached the 1984 Milk Cup semi-final against Liverpool, believes the club’s youth policy, headed by Mick Halsall, will pay off.

Craig Shakespeare, Kenny Mower, David Preece and Rees all came through the ranks and, with Troy Deeney and Mark Bradley echoing their progression, Rees knows they are the lifeblood at the Banks’s.

“If you haven’t got money to spend on players it has to be invested in the youth system to bring these kids through,” he said.

“It’s what we had. I can go back to when there were six apprentices and I think all of us played in the first team, which was fantastic. The more the merrier and if they can get six new players through then someone is doing a good job.

“Back in the day we’d bring players through and sell them for half a million, so it’s obviously good for the club and the player.”