Hutchings frustrated in loan bids

Walsall boss Chris Hutchings reckons he was rejected by transfer targets because they didn't want to drop down the Football League ladder.

Walsall boss Chris Hutchings reckons he was rejected by transfer targets because they didn't want to drop down the Football League ladder.

The Thursday 5pm emergency loan deadline passed without incident, as Hutchings' search ended fruitlessly.

He now has to deal with a rising injury list, as the Saddlers host bottom-of-the-table Cheltenham in League One without seven first team players.

Hutchings and assistant Martin O'Connor led an exhaustive search for loan signings but couldn't convince them to move.

The manager said: "One or two wanted to play in the Championship instead of League One and that's life unfortunately.

"I, personally, always wanted to play but everyone's different and I can't speak for them, I'm just disappointed things haven't happened."

Defenders Stephen Roberts, Netan Sansara, Paul Boertien are all out of the game but Anthony Gerrard could return.

Mark Bradley (Wales) and Clayton Ince (Trinidad & Tobago) are away on international duty and Michael Ricketts serves the last game of his five-match ban.

Youth team striker Josh Craddock and defender Darryl Westlake have been training with the squad this week and could feature.