Deeney to be offered a new deal

Walsall are preparing to offer Troy Deeney a new two-year deal in a bid to keep him.

The Saddlers are desperate to tie down their star striker, whose deal has a year left to run, as all but one of the squad are out of contract next season.

Steve Jones signed a two-year deal last week and the club have another year's option on Clayton Ince and Sam Parkin, but face the prospect of a mass exodus in 12 months.

And the Saddlers, who play their first pre-season game at Rotherham tomorrow, are prepared to break from their usual protocol of waiting until the end of the season to keep Deeney.

Deeney is understood to be among the lowest paid players and would hope his salary can be doubled.