Walsall open to Hendrie swoop

Walsall manager Chris Hutchings has left the door open to a swoop for Lee Hendrie – but admits the club could be priced out of a move for the former Villa midfielder.

Hendrie has found himself out of favour at Derby County after making just 10 appearances for the Rams this season, but is set to return from a two-month lay-off in the next fortnight and could be available on loan or on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Hutchings confirmed the 32-year-old is one of a number of players who would interest the Saddlers, but concedes his wages would be a potential stumbling block.

The manager said: "We are always looking at players – we not only have to look at loan players for this season, but we have got to think about players for next season.

"Whether we could afford a Lee Hendrie or not remains to be seen because he would obviously be on good wages.

"He has got experience but he would be one of many players that we would be looking at. Whether we could afford them would be another scenario.

"We can always ask the question but whether we would be good enough remains to be seen, because I'd imagine there would be a lot of who would be after Lee Hendrie if Derby released him.

"The door always remains open, you never say never in football but there's lot of players. He has not trained here.

"I go to games every week – I was at West Brom this week and looking at a player there, Martin O'Connor goes to Stoke reserves. We are always out looking and there will always be speculation."