Anxious time for Walsall players

Striker Alex Nicholls has admitted Walsall's players are braced for an anxious few months as they wait to discover whether they have earned a new contract.

The player is one of the many Saddlers players whose existing deal runs out at the end of the current campaign.

Nicholls revealed new contracts have recently been talking of the dressing room but believes the incentive of a new deal can bring the best out of the players between now and May.

"It's an anxious time," said Nicholls. "I have a young daughter that I need to provide for so it is an issue.

"But the more you let it play on your mind the less chance you've got of earning a new contract. I just try to put it to the back of my mind and work hard and show the manager that I want to be here.

"In this league especially you are only really guaranteed income for one maybe two years with the contracts. People don't realise that and it's hard.

"It is all down to yourself and how you cope with it. Coming towards this time of the season everyone is chatting about it.

"There are a few who are a bit worried and anxious. At the end of the day it is down to yourself – you have got to produce if you want to stay here.

"Any way you look at it it's a negative that you're out of contract. I've done a lot of work with people trying to turn negatives into positives and channelling it in the right direction. That's exactly what I will do with my contract.

"Would I like to stay here? Without a doubt. I'm happy here and it's local. It's a good club to learn your trade at. Obviously I would like to go higher eventually but I can get games under my belt and experience here."