Walsall boss Dean Smith to be loan arranger

Walsall boss Dean Smith vowed to continue using the loan market, both to sign players and to find temporary moves for his emerging stars.

The Saddlers supremo made just three temporary additions last season with Andy Butler, Michael Cain and Jordy Hiwula all spending time at the Banks's.

In the opposite direction, promising youngsters Liam Roberts, Amadou Bakayoko and Kieron Morris all enjoyed successful loan moves away, with Morris returning from a spell at Wrexham to score four goals in 17 games.

[related_posts title="More Saddlers news"]

And after being handed statistics that show the club used the loan system better than any other side in League One last season, Smith is once again planning to use the market to Walsall's advantage.

"We have been very good with the loan system," Smith said.

[comments_cta text="What do you think?" header="Who would you like to see at the club?" button="Log in and join in the debate below"]

"We received some analysis and we are team that got the most out of our loan signings.

"We got 74 minutes a week out of our signings on average, some teams were only getting 24 minutes a week out of the players they brought in.

"I will only use the loan window if it's an emergency or if we can get someone in who will significantly improve us. "Last season I used it three times. One because my centre-halves were struggling with injury so Andy Butler came in.

"The second time Cain came in because we needed a midfielder with Sam Manton continuing to struggle for fitness. The last one was then Hiwula when Tom Bradshaw was injured. Unless players are good enough and are coming to play then I don't see any point."

Smith is also keen to send his younger players out to gain first team experience and refused to rule out temporary moves away for youngsters such as Reece Flanagan, Liam Kinsella, Jordan Murphy and Matt Preston.

"It worked very well for us last season, it's about making sure they are playing games.

"There was a lot of them who had good moves and came back stronger.

"Morris went to Wrexham and came back a much better player and he is now part and parcel of our first team squad.

"We are looking at players going out, certainly the younger players to get some experience for when we need them."

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed Walsall's Capital One Cup first round clash with Nottingham Forest will take place at the City Ground on August 11 with a 7.45pm kick-off.