Cat and mouse for Chris Hutchings

Walsall boss Chris Hutchings is playing cat and mouse with his transfer targets in plotting his next moves ahead of Friday's contract deadline.

The manager is ready to move into the transfer market once he knows which of his stars have committed themselves to the club.

But Hutchings realises a long summer lies ahead with players prepared to wait it out for the best deal.

He said: "Players will leave their options open, they don't want to commit themselves, unless they're a better player, know they're going to a bigger club and want to get things tied up.

"But at this level they'll be leaving their options open, hoping to have three or four clubs after them and they play one against the other."

Hutchings has cash to spend, but won't know how much until his out of contract six reveal their hands.

Julian Gray, Mark Hughes, Jamie Vincent, Darryl Westlake, goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin and Will Grigg are all yet to commit – and have until Friday to do so.

Hutchings insists money is available but will quickly disappear as his men sign on.

He said: "There could be but at the same time, about money in the pot, if you've got £10,000 in the pot you're not going to get a lot. If you've got £100,000 in the pot you've got the chance to get a couple of players.

"It depends what we've got left after we've sorted our own players and were we can go from there.

"Then we can decide whether we need experience in certain positions or not."

Richard Taundry and Alex Nicholls have already signed new two-year deals, with the Saddlers' squad taking shape.

Hutchings aims to add to his ranks but admits wages could prove a stumbling block.

He said: "If you go for experience, it means they've usually played at a higher level on higher wages and want higher wages.

"If you're talking about young lads who have been released from Everton or whoever, you have to remember they've been on good wages as well.

"It's a difficult time and sometimes they have to take a step back, like Clayton McDonald. He's a prime example, he's taken a step back to go forward.

"We're trying to develop them and be successful with them."