Hutchings blast for departing duo
Walsall boss Chris Hutchings has hit out at Chris Palmer and Sofiene Zaaboub after the duo's exit.
Wideman Palmer has signed for Gillingham on a free transfer, after initially agreeing to stay at the Saddlers and even attending pre-season training.
But he never penned his new deal, instead joining the Saddlers' newly promoted League One rivals on a two-year contract.
Hutchings felt Palmer should have acted more professionally and claims the 25-year-old just vanished on Monday.
The manager said: "The way that he has handled the situation is very disappointing.
"We verbally agreed a deal with the lad and it was just a case of waiting for him to sign on the dotted line.
"He started pre-season training with us on Thursday and indicated that he just wanted his agent to go over the contract, before he signed it.
"He then failed to report to training on Monday without informing anyone.
"We later found out that he had signed for another club."
Zaaboub has confirmed he is also leaving the Saddlers, ending two months of speculation, but has yet to sign for another club.
Hutchings has moved to clarify the Frenchman's situation and added his contract offer was withdrawn, for what he reckons is a lack of commitment.
He said: "Once more a contract was agreed verbally and the player was to report back for pre-season training, along with the rest of the team on Thursday morning.
"I received a phone call late on Wednesday from Sofiene, informing me that another club wanted to take him on a three-day trial.
"He was told that if he did not report for training as agreed his contract offer would be taken away, as I only want people here who are committed to the club."
Their exits leave Hutchings with just 16 professional players, after the sale of Anthony Gerrard to Cardiff and Jabo Ibehre's defection to MK Dons.
Michael Ricketts, Stephen Hughes and Paul Boertien were also released but the Saddlers chief expects new faces next week.
The manager added: "I can assure everyone we are working extremely hard behind the scenes to strengthen the squad.
"We hope to have a couple of new additions next week."
