Walsall FC captain Andy Butler wanted by Bradford

Walsall captain Andy Butler is in demand after Capital One Cup heroes Bradford City made an enquiry for the Saddlers skipper.

The League Two side reportedly had a bid turned down for the 29-year-old, who is out-of-contract at the end of the season.

But the Express & Star understands Butler was the subject of an enquiry by the Bantams before they signed former Norwich defender Michael Nelson from Kilmarnock.

Bantams chief Phil Parkinson, who takes his side to Villa on Tuesday with a 3-1 lead in the Capital One Cup semi-final, moved for 32-year-old Nelson in a £30,000 switch instead.

Butler will make his 100th league appearance for the Saddlers against Bournemouth tomorrow and has been a key player since signing on a free in 2010.

He made his debut in a 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth but helped Walsall to the Great Escape in 2011 and then skippered them to safety last season.

He has scored 11 goals in 111 appearances for the Saddlers, who have won five of their last six games in League One.

Butler, who has scored two goals in 31 games this season, has helped Walsall keep three straight home clean sheets and wants more tomorrow.

He said: "They say strikers win games and defences win championships. We have got a good squad here and people are vying for positions.

"If someone makes a mistake or the gaffer wants a change then someone comes in and wants to prove themselves. The lads who have come in have made it their own.

"Paul Downing has been brilliant since he's come in, he's waited for his turn and then grabbed it with both hands.

"If you get your back four or five organised then the rest can enjoy their football."

Goals from Febian Brandy, Downing and James Baxendale saw them win 3-1 at Preston on Sunday and move to 12th.

The Saddlers have powered away from the bottom four and are closing in on the recognised safety target of 50 points.

They sit on 38 points and are just five adrift of the play-offs.