Walsall manager Dean Smith hailed the homecoming of Adam Chambers as a potential key ingredient in the Saddlers League One challenge next season.

The one-time Albion prospect is back on his home patch after leaving Orient and made a positive impact in central midfield, making his debut in last night’s 3-2 friendly defeat to Wolves.

Sandwell-born Chambers was one of a cluster of new faces being moulded into a re-shaped team by Smith and who impressed against the club’s Premier League neighbours.

And, after watching Chambers register such a promising start in the anchor role against Wolves, the Saddlers boss believes the one-time Hawthorns graduate could blossom at Walsall.

He said: “Adam Chambers has played at the highest level – I’ve known him as a young lad and took him down to Orient when I was there.

“I was surprised they let him go to be honest but I knew he was available when I don’t think anybody else knew.

“I know the family and touched base with them when we had the chance to bring him back to the area and I think that was a key factor. I think he can be an important player for us.

“He is a great professional who will give us energy and a touch of quality.”

Smith gave fellow newcomers Mat Sadler and  Kevan Hurst a starting role while Ryan Jarvis, Claude Gnakpa and Lee Beevers were second-half substitutes, who can expect to figure against Villa in the week’s second friendly tomorrow night.

But the wait goes on for the Saddlers’ other midfield “wannabe” Anton Peterlin, who will get one final chance to persuade Smith he is the central midfield signing that will complete the manager’s recruitment programme for the close season.

Peterlin played for all but the last 10 minutes of last night’s game and, in a trial that is due to close at the end of this week, will get another opportunity against Villa.

His progress is being monitored by Smith at a time when he is being linked to another potential candidate in Charlton’s Alan McCormack.

McCormack still has a year of his contract to run at the Valley but could be available on the kind of terms Walsall’s tight budget could handle.

Smith added: “I’m aware of the player but there is nothing happening on that, at the moment.”

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