Boss' challenge for Troy Deeney

Walsall boss Chris Hutchings has challenged Troy Deeney to become a 20-goal striker after insisting the forward must up his strike-rate.

The manager has kept the heat on Deeney during pre-season as he bids to turn him into a powerhouse striker the Saddlers can bank on.

Deeney finished last season as the Saddlers' 14-goal top scorer – picking up the Player of the Season award in the process – but Hutchings insists the 21-year-old must improve.

He said: "It's something we stress to him constantly. We know he can get 15 to 20 goals. I've said to him before there are plenty of strikers about who get 10 or 15 goals, but if you get 20 plus you will get looked at and that's the target for him.

"If you get to 15 to 20 goals then you make people sit up.

"You get a few strikers getting 10 or 12 but when you get nearer 20 goals then you start getting looked at and if you get over 20 you are definitely looked at."

Since becoming an out and out striker under Hutchings, Deeney has scored 24 goals in 68 games and the Saddlers have tied him down to new 18-month contract last November.

But Hutchings warns the fans' favourite must get used to being a marked man, after his impact since the manager arrived in January 2009.

He said: "Troy has improved and it's there for all to see, he would have been marked closer this year after playing a striker and his goals the season before.

"The second season is always the test as people take a closer look at you. We'll have to wait and see how far he can go, it was only his second full season up front but he knows he's got a lot to learn and tidy up but he's scoring goals."

"That's what strikers are judged on."