More players to come at Walsall

Walsall manager Chris Hutchings is chasing the final piece of his jigsaw puzzle and has declared - 'There's more to come.'

Fresh from yesterday's quadruple swoop of Aaron Lescott, David Bevan, Oliver Lancashire and the re-signing of Julian Gray, the Saddlers boss is preparing to recruit another defender ahead of the start of their pre-season games.

The manager is hoping to strike a deal before he takes Walsall to a behind-closed-doors friendly at Barnsley on Saturday, or by the time Wolves visit the Banks's Stadium on Tuesday.

He said: "Hopefully we might be able to bring in someone else in this week or next week. It'll probably be in defence.

"We're looking for a left-back or right-back, so we do cover ourselves and one who can play centre back at a push if needs be. We're just trying to cover all angles.

"If they have the ability they can get the experience with us. Hopefully they won't make too many mistakes but it's about learning quickly and we have lads here who can do that."

Hutchings, who has ruled out signing a new striker, had already snared goalkeeper Jonny Brain and midfielder Paul Marshall after shedding 14 players since the end of last season.

The manager admits it was necessary to help the Saddlers try to beat last season's 10th-place finish.

He said: "We let quite a few go and have got a few in. There's a big turnaround but it's something which needed to be done.

"That's no disrespect to the lads who have been here because they worked extremely hard and I wish them all the best."

The Saddlers have been training for two weeks ahead of their first run-out against Barnsley and Hutchings admits his players are desperate to get some playing action.

He said: "If they have any energy left. I'm very pleased with the way thing have gone so far.

"They've worked extremely hard, no one has come back overweight, we've done all the testing and they are looking forward to the games."