Dean Smith today revealed he tried to tempt Jordan Cook back to the Banks’s as he searches for the winning Walsall recipe.

The Saddlers boss was keen to reunite with the winger after he helped them beat the League One drop last term.

But Cook is set to make his Carlisle debut against the Saddlers tomorrow after penning a month-long loan deal from Sunderland

And after his failed move for the 21-year-old Smith warned his men about the danger Cook, who made eight Saddlers appearances, scoring once, can serve up.

He said: “We tried and I enquired about Jordan in November but he wanted to see what else was out there in terms of Championship clubs. They’ve had a change of manager at Sunderland since and he’s gone to Carlisle.

“I haven’t touched base with him since we tried but with Jordan it was about the distance from where he was. Carlisle is a lot better, logistically, for him so it might have something to do with his move.

“We know a lot about him and played against him in the reserve League Cup final at the start of the season.”

Smith has been frustrated in his search for new recruits and has seen two loan bids rejected this month.

With the Saddlers out of the League One drop zone on goal difference the manager is keen for new blood.

But he believes his current squad are good enough, should he fail in the loan market, to end their away day blues at Brunton Park.

“We’ve got no fear in going to any of the grounds – Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield or Carlisle – we just want to go and play,” said Smith, with the Saddlers without a win on the road since August.

“The games can’t come quick enough because we’re confident. I feel there are four, if not more, worse teams than us in the league.

“We’re becoming the draw specialist in the league but we’re certainly hard to beat and no-one wants to play us.

“Certainly the players need to be playing with confidence and they are starting to do it. There are good signs for us.”

Meanwhile, Smith has been boosted by the return of Oliver Lancashire and ex-Carlisle winger Kevan Hurst after respective hamstring and heel injuries.

He added: “They are both fully fit and in contention for the squad.”