Gray not thinking of new contract

Walsall winger Julian Gray will ignore any speculation about his future and contract talks after his stunner helped the Saddlers sink Wycombe.

The wide man netted his third goal in three games – a cracking 20-yard effort – as the Saddlers edged out the Chairboys 2-1 yesterday.

His short term deal expires at the end of the season, but the former Birmingham star has put any ideas of an extension on hold to focus on his form.

He said: "We'll have a look at it at the end of the season. I'm just concentrating on the last six games. I had an opportunity to come here and play football and we'll see what happens after that.

"For me I'm playing catch up and I'm fit but I need match fitness. I'm catching up to everyone and feeling a lot stronger."

But the 30-year-old was delighted with his strike – a first at the Banks's Stadium following goals at Exeter and Stockport – as it helped Walsall clinch a win.

He said: "At least we got a win this time. We got three points and that's the most important thing. At Exeter I scored but we lost, on Saturday at Stockport I scored and we drew. I was hoping for a win and we've done it.

"As a team we're attacking together, there were some good passages of play and I feel good in myself. We've make it difficult for ourselves by going down to 10 men recently. It was a good win against another team who are struggling.

"We're doing well against the top teams but not against the bottom teams so it was vital to get three points."

Manny Smith had given the Saddlers an early lead before Gray's spectacular effort but Adam Hinshelwood's 78th minute saw the hosts suffer some late jitters – something Gray admitted were inevitable.

The winger said: "Their goal gave them momentum for the last few minutes, if we don't concede we see the game out.

"I think the way things have been going a few nerves were creeping in, because we have lost a few games. If you let in a late goal it happens but thankfully we held out."