Parkin handed Saddlers boost

Walsall boss Chris Hutchings today assured forgotten man Sam Parkin he is still part of his plans but admits the striker's season "hasn't worked out".

The 29-year-old has struggled for form and fitness this season – starting just eight game since his arrival last summer.

Parkin scored two in his first four games but has netted just once since and Hutchings says he has been unfortunate.

"He scored early on and you think 'let's kick on' and then because of one thing or another it hasn't worked out," he said.

"It's football, you don't know when players are going to get injured. You just have to deal with it. As a professional he's worked extremely hard and conducted himself in an exceptional manner. There's nothing more he can do."

Hutchings has sympathy for his striker and says the former Ipswich and Swindon ace still has quality but hasn't had the opportunity to prove his worth because of injury.

"You have to be 100 per cent fit to make sure you give your all, especially when you come to a new club," he said.

"If you're at a club for a year and then in the second year get injured after doing well the fans know what you can do. When you come to a club you don't want to get injured and for one reason or another he hasn't had that run.

"He's got to bide his time and in that time he's had injuries and he's always played a little bit of catch up."