Express & Star

Downing pleads with Saddlers to extend Butler's stay

Walsall defender Paul Downing today pleaded with the Saddlers to extend Andy Butler's loan stay.

Published

The centre-half has struck up an impressive partnership with Butler, whose month-long loan deal is due to expire after Saturday's game with Crewe.

Boss Dean Smith will sit down with chief executive Stefan Gamble and owner Jeff Bonser this week to discuss an extension but, for Downing, he is hoping that the 30-year-old stays put.

Walsall have kept three clean sheets in the six games he has played and Downing believes his presence is a big boost.

"I have enjoyed it (playing with Butler). The past few games we have kept some clean sheets which is important," said Downing.

"It doesn't matter who I play alongside, I played with Jay Chambers last week and we have some very good players at this club so anyone can do a job.

"I think the lads would be happy for him to stay. It's up to the manager to see if we can do a deal but he is a very good player at this level and a leader in the dressing room which is what we need.

"We will have to see what happens."

Downing believes Butler's successful return – on loan from Sheffield United – has disproved the theory that you should never go back.

"Sometimes that is right and sometimes it is wrong. He (Butler) knows the club and knows the players. The bottom line is he is a good player and once he gets a good run of games he is going to be a good player for any team," he added.

The former Albion youngster will line up with Butler on Saturday but is focused on hitting back after the weekend Oldham reverse.

"We wanted to keep the run going and climb up the table and it just wasn't to be," he said. "Crewe is going to be a tough game. We have had 12 league games and every one has been tough so we won't take them lightly. We have had some good results at home and we want to keep that going and we want to get back and start another unbeaten run."

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.