Boss' delight at Deeney's new deal

Walsall manager Chris Hutchings has hailed Troy Deeney's decision to sign a new contract as a major coup for the club.

Deeney put pen to paper on a new 'double-your-money' deal yesterday, committing him to the Saddlers for the next two years.

The 21-year-old former builder's apprentice was watched by Wigan and Norwich towards the end of last season, after his switch from winger to striker heralded a glut of goals.

With just a year left on Deeney's previous deal, Hutchings revealed the Saddlers had to act to ward off the circling vultures.

The manager said: "We are absolutely delighted. He has been rewarded with a new contract. We have always been a club that's gone from year to year, but we're trying to look to the long term now and look after our assets.

"Last season he scored nine goals in 14 games for us. People are all of a sudden going to start showing an interest, especially as prior to playing down the middle he had been playing out wide and hadn't been scoring goals."

Deeney is yet to find the net this season, but his manager believes the striker has to contend with no longer being a surprise quantity.

Hutchings said: "Troy has a lot to do this year. He's going to be marked a lot tighter than previously. People will know about him and what to expect from him so it's another learning curve for him.

"He is not the finished article – he knows that and I know that. He needs to work on certain aspects of his game but he is a willing worker and I'm sure when the chances come he will take them."

The Saddlers are not currently looking to extend any other contracts – but Hutchings is open to doing so if he is left sufficiently impressed.

He added: "If players are doing well then it would be up to me to decide. There are one or two doing well but you have to do it consistently.

"Troy's deal shows other players that if you perform and do well then you will be looked after.

"That's what we want to do. We have to protect our assets."