Walsall manager Chris Hutchings has thrown down the gauntlet to Darryl Westlake to prove he is worthy of a Saddlers starting spot.

The 18-year-old right-back is vying for a place against Southend tomorrow with Richard Taundry, because Rhys Weston is suspended after his red card against Accrington on Tuesday.

Now the teenager has told to grasp the opportunity if it comes his way.

Hutchings said: “Darryl shown a lot of promise so it’s up to him. He acquitted himself well in pre-season, he’s a young lad learning his trade and, if the opportunity comes, he has to take it otherwise someone else gets the chance. That is the nature of the game unfortunately.

“I’ve got confidence in his ability, that’s why we signed him professionally and what he’s shown so far, I’ve been pleased with.

“He comes into our reckoning, we’ve got Richard Taundry who played there in the second half, so we’ve got a couple of options we can use.”

Westlake and fellow first-year professionals Sam Adkins and Will Grigg were unused substitutes in the first round Carling Cup exit at Accrington, but Hutchings insists he won’t have any problems throwing them a first team start.

He said: “That was one of the reasons why we swapped and changed the teams against West Brom and Wolves, who are quality opposition. We have tried to give them a run-out to see if they can handle it.

“They didn’t let anyone down. I was very pleased with their progress. They have to keep making progress to establish themselves in the first-team.

“If they get a chance they have to take it.”