Walsall poised to keep hold of Jordy Hiwula

The Saddlers have already opened talks with the reigning Premier League champions and are hopeful of completing a deal before Hiwula's current loan expires on April 6.

The 20-year-old has scored four goals in 10 League One appearances for Dean Smith's side since moving from the Etihad Stadium in February.

He has provided vital back-up for leading scorer Tom Bradshaw, who has been beset by hamstring problems.

Manager Smith said: "Tom has had a few niggles this season and he has missed a few games, which makes scoring the number of goals he has even more impressive.

"Jordy has done really well since he came in. He came here off the back of a loan spell with Yeovil that didn't go as well as he would have liked.

"But since he joined us he has really found his feet and done a great job for us. He is a young lad and it was just a case of him finding a team and a club where he could play and score."

Today is deadline day for emergency loan signings, but existing loan deals can be extended afterwards.

Hiwula's youth loan is not subject to the 93-day maximum emergency period, so he can remain for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, Smith will consider Michael Cain's future at the end of the season, after drawing a line under his critical tweet following Sunday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy final defeat at Wembley.

The on-loan midfielder is out of contract with Leicester in the summer, but Smith said: "If he becomes a free agent, then we will consider things.

"At the moment, that's not the case and, as he is under 24, there might well be a fee involved."