Walsall boss Dean Smith still upbeat on signings

The Saddlers supremo, who has signed Neil Etheridge, Jason Demetriou and Milan Lalkovic this summer, is looking to bolster his ranks further by bringing in a centre-back and central midfielder before August 8. But while fans would like to see new recruits arrive sooner rather than later, Smith says you often have to wait until pre-season training is under way.

"It's the same every year – after the first two weeks of pre-season training you often get a second wave of players becoming available," he said.

"Our options will increase because players will go back to their clubs and realise they aren't part of their managers plans.

"While the out-of-contract players, who haven't yet been fixed up, will now be getting very nervous.

"It will be two weeks without wages for them now so, all of a sudden, they become more keen to get something sorted and the demands come down."

Smith's hunt for a centre-back has been sparked by the decision of James Chambers to hang up his boots at the age of 34.

But while the defender only confirmed his intention to retire yesterday, Smith has been on the hunt for a new centre-back ever since he found out Chambers was weighing up his options.

"I've been looking for a new centre-back for a while," the boss said. "I'm very close with James and his family and he we have spoken about his future constantly since the end of the season."

He said: "I had been expecting him not to sign so there have been four or five centre-backs I've been looking at. I need a centre-half and we may take another central midfielder, a midfielder we can progress and who will provide added competition."

But one player who won't be returning to Walsall is winger Jordy Hiwula who enjoyed a successful loan spell at the Banks's Stadium last season. The 20-year-old completed a permanent move from Manchester City to Championship outfit Huddersfield Town yesterday, signing a three-year deal.