Sutton's warning on O'Keefe release

Lincoln manager Chris Sutton reckons Walsall could have dropped a clanger in cutting Josh O'Keefe from their squad this summer.

The midfielder is being backed to re-launch his career with the League Two outfit, after making just eight first-team appearances in his one season with the Saddlers.

But former Blues and Villa striker Sutton is "surprised" to have picked up the 6ft 3in midfielder and is tipping him for an impact.

He said: "I'm looking forward to working with him, because he has a good pedigree and to be honest I'm surprised we've got him - but I'm so pleased we have.

"From what I've seen of him, he will be a quality addition because he likes to get forward which is something we lack.

"He has the ability to make runs from midfield late into the box and, without putting too much pressure on him, I'm hoping he should score a fair few for us."

But Walsall boss Chris Hutchings is confident of re-shaping a stronger squad from the battery of players being thrown on to the summer market by cost-cutting clubs fighting the recession.

Southampton, stranded in League One for another season after failing to make the play-offs, yesterday cut no fewer than 13 including ex-Saddler loanee Simon Gillett.

One-time Walsall target Jon Ostemobor was also among the former Saints now looking for new deals which included one-time Albion defender Chris Perry, ex-Reading full-back Graeme Murty and Wayne Thomas, the former Stoke defender.