Marsh's warning on Smith's contract

Walsall legend Chris Marsh has warned Manny Smith is risking his future by not committing to the club and signing the deal on the table.

The defender is still locked in talks with the Saddlers despite being offered a fresh 18-month terms by manager Chris Hutchings almost two months ago, with the situation dragging on beyond the initial problem of the defender changing agents.

His contract expires at the end of the season and the club made tying him down a priority, after an impressive first full season under Hutchings.

And Saddlers' defensive stalwart Marsh, who made 479 appearances for the club, believes the 22-year-old needs to continue his development at the Banks's Stadium.

He said: "Manny should stay at least another season and I'm sure the club have given him the best they can offer.

"I had interest when I was 23 and thought it was the right time to leave, although I didn't, but he is young and you would rather play week in week out for Walsall rather than go and sit on the bench elsewhere.

"You might be going to a higher level but might not play every game like you could do at Walsall."

Marsh highlighted former striker Matty Fryatt, who made a switch to Leicester in 2006, as someone who landed the right move and the 40-year-old reckons Smith should follow suit.

He said: "Matty Fryatt scored goals, waited and at the right time got his move. It' about timing and Manny has got to wait another season and then have a look where he is.

"It's about performing, every time you go out you've got to give 100 per cent.

"If you give everything for Walsall then the rest will follow."

If Smith, who is out-of-contract along with the likes of Mark Bradley, Alex Nicholls and Richard Taundry, decides to leave the Saddlers would be due a fee because the player is under 24 and could land some cash through a tribunal.

Marsh added: "Walsall have always been a conveyer belt, always followed the youth policy and given them a chance. He looked a bit raw when he first game in but this season he has done extremely well.

"He's a good prospect."