Five agree new deals with Walsall

The goalkeeper, currently on international duty with Trinidad and Tobago, has ended months of speculation by agreeing to stay at the Banks's Stadium.

The 36-year-old won Players' Player of the Year and Supporters' Player of the Year after making 38 appearances last season, despite a niggling groin injury and World Cup Qualifiers and joined from Coventry in 2006.

Chris Palmer, Young Player of the Year Manny Smith, Rene Gilmartin and Netan Sansara will also stay.

The quintet will finalise their deals when they return from holiday.

Chief executive Roy Whalley said: "We are delighted that Clayton, Manny, Rene, Chris and Netan have agreed new contracts.

"Clayton and Chris are both experienced players while Manny, Rene and Netan are very exciting prospects who I am sure will be looking to secure a place in Chris Hutchings' starting XI next season."

Walsall boss Hutchings had set the players a final deadline of Tuesday to settle their contracts, as he waits to make his move in the transfer market.

But question marks still hang over the futures of Jabo Ibehre and Sofiene Zaaboub – the only two who are yet to sign.

Reports over the weekend suggested 26-year-old Ibehre was primed for a move to MK Dons, after being offered a contract by boss Roberto Di Matteo but the Express & Star understands the striker hasn't been in contact with the former Chelsea star.

Ibehre, who joined on a free transfer from Leyton Orient last summer, is due to finalise his Saddlers future tomorrow.

But the club faces competition for Ibehre's signature, with a number of League One and Championship sides vying for the 11-goal hitman's services.

Losing Ibehre would be a huge blow and would leave the Saddlers with just Troy Deeney, Alex Nicholls and inexperienced duo Will Grigg and Josh Craddock as striking options, following the departure of Michael Ricketts last month.

Zaaboub, a free signing from Swindon last summer, confirmed last month he was in no rush to finalise a deal with the Saddlers, with an announcement on his future expected in the next few days.