Jon Macken eyeing permanent Walsall deal

Jon Macken today revealed he is eyeing a Walsall deal.

The striker has been impressed with the Saddlers after training with the club as they hunt a replacement for Troy Deeney.

The 32-year-old has been at Walsall since Thursday and played in yesterday's behind-closed-doors 0-0 draw with Coventry.

Macken is keen on the Saddlers and hopes he has done enough for boss Chris Hutchings, but isn't taking anything for granted. "I'm definitely interested, who wouldn't be? It's League One, they have a good team and I've been impressed. Hopefully I have impressed them," he said.

"It's what I'm looking for. They are ambitious, it's a great set-up and they've got a decent chance this season. If it doesn't happen, I thank them for the opportunity to train and get my match sharpness back. If something comes of it, brilliant. If not, I'm very grateful.

"I've only been there four days, so at the moment I'm just training and we'll take it from there."

And Macken, who cost Manchester City £5m in a 2002 move from Preston, insists he can still cut it after his release from Championship outfit Barnsley in the summer.

He said: "I think I did well for Barnsley last season and helped them stay up. I put in some good performances and I still believe I've got a lot to offer and Hopefully I've shown that."

The Saddlers host Plymouth on Saturday aiming for their first home win of the season and Macken reckons they have the quality to beat last year's 10th.

"They finished 10th last season and that's a good achievement. You always want to better the one before and that's something they're looking to do," he said.

"All the players have the ability, especially from what I have seen, sometimes you just need a few older heads to point you in the right direction."

Hutchings has other targets, although has remained tight-lipped over any bids, as he tries to spend the cash following Deeney's move to Watford in a deal worth up to £650,000.

Alex Nicholls and Darren Byfield are the club's frontline strikers with just teenagers George Bowerman, Will Grigg and Jamie Paterson as back up.