Walsall bidding to spend windfall

Walsall were today hunting Troy Deeney's replacement - with boss Chris Hutchings handed a transfer warchest.

Striker Deeney completed his switch to Watford after the Saddlers struck a £650,000 deal, with Hutchings given the green light to reinvest cash into his team.

The Banks's Stadium chief has already identified the men he wants and will now make his move.

"My attention will turn to bringing in a replacement for the outgoing player," he said. "With the speculation regarding Troy, we have been busy identifying targets, which we will now pursue further.

"You have contingency plans, of course you do. But, the longer things go on, a lot of players are snapped up. We might have to buy someone, or go down the loan route, but we won't be hasty."

Deeney's protracted move was sealed in time for the striker to make his debut as a substitute in Watford's 3-2 win at Norwich last night.

The 22-year-old, Walsall's 14-goal top scorer last season, has penned a two-year deal at Vicarage Road, with an option of a third.

Hutchings added: "We were not prepared to let the player leave unless the deal was the right one for the club, which is why we rejected all of Watford's previous bids."