Walsall fail in ambitious Hughes bid

Walsall have failed in an ambitious bid to sign former Birmingham midfielder Bryan Hughes in a move which signals their intent this season.

The Saddlers were made aware of the 33-year-old's availability last week after his release from Premier League Hull City and made tentative enquiries.

But two Championship heavyweights, one believed to be Middlesbrough, have pushed them out of the running.

Walsall are on the hunt for a creative midfielder and Hughes, who played with assistant boss Martin O'Connor at St Andrew's, would have been the ideal foil in the centre.

After being paid up by the Tigers, Hughes wouldn't have commanded huge wages but the lure of the Championship has proved too much.

Boss Chris Hutchings has now been given the green light to add to his squad, after they fell 13 points off the League One play-offs. The manager confirmed to the Express & Star the hunt is for Premier League and Championship players and his move for Hughes sends a message.

Chairman Jeff Bonser is backing Hutchings in the transfer market, as the club battle to keep the season alive after seven games without a win. The squad needs boosting, as an injury crisis would rip them to shreds.

The Saddlers are sweating on the fitness of Rhys Weston, who limped out of Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Charlton with a hamstring injury, while nine-goal winger Steve Jones is struggling to overcome a persistent groin problem.

Manny Smith should be fit for the visit of Bristol Rovers on Saturday, while Mark Hughes has only just returned from being sidelined with an ankle injury and a virus.

But Hutchings is unable to complete any loan deals until the window reopens on Tuesday, although there can be moves for free agents at any time.

New faces would reignite the season which is in danger of fizzling out, ahead of their gruelling February fixture list. The team picked up a morale boosting point against high-flying Charlton but their last victory came before the big freeze – a win at Yeovil on December 1.

They now face a double header with Rovers, as the Pirates visiting the Banks's Stadium at the weekend before Walsall head to the Memorial Ground on Tuesday.