Walsall defender Rhys Weston believes a lower league salary cap could be enforced to stop clubs driving themselves into “oblivion.”

Gareth Barry’s wallet-busting £90,000 a week salary at Manchester City has received envious glances from the Saddlers camp after his £12million switch from Villa.

With Walsall paupers in comparison, Weston reckons a Football League salary cap would prevent clubs imploding.

He said: “It was only a matter of time before the recession caught up with football.

“Some clubs defy economics with the amount of money they outlay, in comparison to what they bring in, and there has been talk of a salary cap.

“I’ve heard things on the radio and in certain circles. It’s something I could see happening, because football clubs could drive themselves into oblivion.”

On the financial front, Walsall are still involved in contract negotiations with seven of their players with chief executive Roy Whalley also warning this week that every club have to tighten their belts.

Clayton Ince, Netan Sansara, Jabo Ibehre, Rene Gilmartin, Chris Palmer, Manny Smith and Sofiene Zaaboub have yet to sign.

But Weston reckons any cap would be beneficial to a club like Walsall, as they try and compete with those on bigger budgets.

He said: “It’s one of the things which could put everything on an even keel.  It would be interesting to see what club level they would cap the salary.

“I would imagine at a reasonable level in the lower leagues.”

Weston, the Saddlers’ PFA representative, reckons players would be powerless to stop any such move should clubs opt for a cap.

He said: “Players don’t hold the cards anymore, if it’s the route the clubs want to go down there is very little the players’ union can do.

“It wouldn’t be up to the players if you are outside the top two divisions – you have to take what you can get unless you are at a club with strong financial backing.”