Walsall today swooped for Millwall midfielder Marc Laird in a bid to boost their League One survival hopes.

The former Manchester City trainee has penned a loan deal until the end of the season, although the Championship outfit have a 24-hour recall after the initial 28 days.

The 25-year-old is set to make his Saddlers debut at Milton Keynes Dons on Friday night, subject to clearance being received.

Manager Dean Smith said: ”Marc is a player that I have been aware of since his days as a youngster at Manchester City.

“He has always impressed me and when I saw him play for Brentford earlier this year, he once more put in an impressive performance.

“He’s an energetic, box-to-box midfielder who will be a welcome addition to our squad.”

Laird had a five game loan spell at Brentford earlier this season and has also played for Port Vale and Northampton.

Smith had been on the hunt for new recruits to bolster his ranks ahead of the survival run-in.

The Saddlers are fourth bottom of League One and the manager insisted new blood is key ahead of tomorrow’s loan deadline.

He said: “It’s key, if you’re looking to get players in who are better than what you’ve got or who are going to improve the squad then it keeps the players on their toes. The best thing for the manager is to have a selection headache.

“Unfortunately the loan transfer window closes at a time when most Premier League and Championship managers seem to be on holiday because of the international break, so there aren’t many phones being answered.

“But tomorrow will be a busy day and we’ll see a lot of movement. We’ve got a couple bubbling along which will hopefully benefit us for the rest of the season.”

But Smith, who takes his strugglers to Milton Keynes Dons on Friday, insisted he will not blow the club’s cash.

He said: “The players have to improve the squad, I’ve always said that. We’ve been looking in all positions, in the full-back area we’vebeen a bit slight with Aaron Lescott being injured.

“The midfield is always one we’ve been looking to strengthen, along with the centre-forwards and wide boys.

“We’ve been looking all over.”