Big Mac: I said no to Mancini

Clayton McDonald today revealed how he turned his back on new Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini to make his name at Walsall.

The defender penned a new 18-month contract with the Saddlers on Tuesday after negotiating his release from the Premier League billionaires and is available for Saturday's home clash with Charlton. The 21-year-old says Mancini spoke to him after replacing Mark Hughes last week but admitted his mind was made up.

He said: "The manager changed but I wasn't willing to wait around, I just wanted to move on.

"The new manager spoke to me and said it was up to me. But I felt it was time to leave. He said young lads will get their chance but I thought if I went somewhere else I'd get my opportunity anyway.

"When you're at Manchester City and have been there so long you're in your comfort zone.

"I'm an ambitious person so going back to play reserve team football and getting after contract after contract isn't what I'm about."

And the 6ft 6in giant insists he wants to carve out his reputation at the Banks's Stadium after seeing Anthony Gerrard, Dan Fox and Scott Dann make their names with the Saddlers.

"I'm Clayton McDonald and I have to make my own reputation. I'm 21 now and want to be playing first team football," he added.

"Gerrard, Scott Dann and Foxy did well but I have to do it for myself. I have to emulate what they've done and perhaps go higher.

"I need to do it off my own back. People say 'Clayton McDonald, he's good, he played in the reserves for Manchester City' but I'm ambitious and want to kick on.

"The future is in my hands now I can play first team football."

McDonald spent three months on loan with the Saddlers earlier this season but the form of Manny Smith and Mark Hughes kept him out of the side during his last weeks.

"I need to embrace the competition," he added.

"You have to play well to get into the team and if you do that the manager says you will keep the shirt."