Walsall manager Dean Smith has insisted the Saddlers will not be “blown out of the water” by the League One big guns in the summer transfer scramble.

The Banks’s Stadium boss is confident they can compete for the men who will help them significantly improve on last season’s 20th place.

The club’s budget is one of the smallest in the division but Smith has backed his own judgement to unearth the gems that ensure the Saddlers don’t suffer another relegation fright.

He said: “I don’t think many League One clubs are going to blow us out of the water in terms of finances.

“The two Sheffield clubs or Preston maybe, as they are the bigger clubs who players want to go to.

“The budget is what it is but it’s competitive in this league, definitely. You just have to get on with it.

“I am one of those people who will get on with it and we’ll try to spend it wisely to get players in who can push us forward.”

Smith is eyeing former loanees Marco Gbarssin and Marc Laird, after they were released by Carlisle and Millwall respectively, and wants to seal a few quick deals.

Captain Andy Butler has already penned a new two-year contract, while goalkeeper Jimmy Walker is close to committing his future.

But Smith is waiting for answers from Matt Richards, Julian Gray, Emmanuel Ledesma, David Bevan and George Bowerman after they were offered terms.

They have just under four weeks to respond before the offers are withdrawn and Smith insisted talks will not drag through the summer.

Smith, who has released nine of last season’s squad, said: “I’m hoping to hear back as soon as possible but I’m fully aware for anyone over 24 it’s a free market.

“I have told those I want to keep I want a commitment to the football club. They have proved to themselves over the last four months that if they show commitment and teamwork there’s a long way they can go.

“It’s a case of ‘yes we want you to be at the football club but, if you decide it’s not the place for you, there are a lot of more than capable players to come in.’

“I want a squad by pre-season and if one or two come a little later then so be it.”