Walsall manager Chris Hutchings admits he is working with the smallest budget of his career but is relishing the challenge.

The Saddlers boss’ transfer dealings at the Banks’s Stadium are a far cry from his previous multi-million pound moves.

Hutchings is currently eyeing defender Ian Breckin, available on a free transfer from Nottingham Forest, but has yet to make a permanent signing in six months in charge.

But he spent £2.5million on David Hopkin while at Bradford in 2000, as well as bringing former Villa striker Stan Collymore to Valley Parade.

In 2007, Jason Koumas made the £5.3m switch from Albion to Wigan when Hutchings was Latics boss, but he concedes those figures are the stuff of dreams for the Saddlers.

The manager said: “Being at Wigan and Bradford in the Premier League and now here is a little bit like chalk and cheese, but we are where we are and we’ve got to deal with it.

“You always relish the challenge. At the other clubs we were looking at international players the majority of the time and they command big league wages.

“It is different to what we’ve got now, but we want the best for the club.”

Pre-season training starts next Thursday, with fans hopeful of new faces after the loss of Jabo Ibehre to MK Dons and the release of Michael Ricketts, Stephen Hughes and Paul Boertien.