Saddlers trio sign first pro deals

Walsall have offered young trio Will Grigg, Sam Adkins and Darryl Westlake their first professional contracts.

Walsall have offered young trio Will Grigg, Sam Adkins and Darryl Westlake their first professional contracts.

Boss Chris Hutchings has been impressed with the teenagers enough to hand them one-year deals, with the option of a one-year extension.

Striker Grigg, 17, and midfielder Adkins, 17, have already made their first team debuts this season, away at Cheltenham and Peterborough respectively, while 18-year-old defender Westlake has featured in first team squads.

Hutchings said: "It's a fantastic opportunity for these three lads to further their careers in the game.

"We've had them train with the first-team in recent weeks and they have stood up well, which is a testament to the work that (head of youth) Mick Halsall has done in moving them in the right direction.

"It's down to them to work even harder now to make an impact at this level and continue to move in the right direction."

The trio have all featured heavily in reserve teams this season, with Grigg bagging four goals for the second string.

But Hutchings added those who will not be offered deals will be given help make sure they find clubs.