Walsall seek talks about McDonald
Walsall boss Chris Hutchings is seeking talks with Manchester City to clarify Clayton McDonald's future.
The Eastlands defender's loan expires after Saturday's trip to Millwall, but he could return in the New Year.
The Saddlers cannot re-sign him, either on loan or permanently, until the transfer window opens in January but boss Hutchings will continue to talk with the Premier League billionaires.
He said: "We're in contact and trying to sort that situation out. Over the next couple of weeks we might have a little bit more news.
"It's on-going, I'll be in touch with his agent in the coming weeks and finding out the situation with Manchester City."
Hutchings is confident he will be backed in the transfer market should he want to move, but reveals any deals may hinge on if the eighth-placed Saddlers continue their League One play-off charge.
He said: "If we maintain it we'll look at the situation in January and if we can push on. It remains to be seen if we're there or not.
"People can talk about the play-offs, but in the cold light of day we're doing very well for where we are. There's a band of 12 clubs like ourselves and we're first or second in that group.
"To stay ahead of them is a good achievement and if that gets us into the play-offs that's all well and good and we'll see where we go from there."
McDonald hasn't featured since injuring his groin at MK Dons in October, but has made eight appearances after arriving in September.
The form of Manny Smith and Mark Hughes has kept him sidelined since recovering, but his imminent departure will leave the Saddlers short on defensive reinforcements over Christmas.
With the retirement of Stephen Roberts in October, an injury to Smith or Hughes would see resources stretched to the limit although Rhys Weston could deputise.
But McDonald, whose dad Rod made 178 appearances for the Saddlers, has already expressed a desire to stay longer despite his spell on the bench.
Speaking last month, he revealed: "It will be something I'll be thinking about. Three months is a long time to be here but I like the surroundings, the players and it's going well at the moment.
"I'm still learning, I'm around the first team and old seasoned professionals who have been there and done that. I feel like I've become a better player."
