Walsall wait on Deeney contract

The 21-year-old has a year left on his current deal but the Saddlers are eager to tie down last season's 12-goal top scorer, who has been watched by Premier League Wigan.

But Deeney is understood to be one of the lowest paid players at the club and was hoping to double his money, with boss Hutchings confiming talks are on-going.

The manager said: "We spoke to Troy and the ball is in his court to come back to us. We made an offer to him and it's his decision whether he takes it or not, he's being advised by his agent so it's up to him to come back to us.

"He's a good goalscorer and we'd like to keep him, we think he's an asset but everyone has a price.

"It's like when you're trying to buy a player, prices go through the roof because everyone thinks they should be earning X, Y and Z. Unfortunately you have to be realistic at this level.

"I'm not saying he's being unrealistic, if he's good enough he'll always go on to bigger and better things, but only time will tell."

Deeney scored nine goals in Hutchings' first 14 games after the boss took charge in January and the Saddlers chief reckons Deeney's career was stalling before he arrived.

He said: "Troy did very well for me last year, we can't argue with the fact he scored so many goals in so many games.

"But, prior to that, he was basically going nowhere playing wide on the right and probably not enjoying his football. It's a two way thing sometimes."

Hutchings, who expects to have Mark Hughes and Peter Till back from their respective thigh and foot injuries to face Southend on Saturday, assured fans everything was being done to keep Deeney but admitted contract negotiations take time.

The manager added: "There isn't a time frame on it, these things take time and he's contracted to this club."