'Promising, exciting & focal point' - 3 Walsall stars who will be key in 2025-26
Walsall will be gunning for promotion again in League Two next season after dramatically missing out following defeat against AFC Wimbledon in the play-off final in May.
In a rollercoaster campaign, a number of breakthrough stars emerged, including most notably Taylor Allen, who has since joined Wycombe Wanderers in League One.
With eight new faces, and a number of players from last season still remaining, here are three players who could be key for the Saddlers in 2025-26.
Harrison Burke
It remains to be seen how Burke will adapt to life in the Football League but the early signs have been promising.
He has demonstrated his excellent passing range throughout pre-season and his propensity to underlap and overlap down the channels.
Not only that, but the centre-back, who scored 13 times for Chester in the National League South last season, has already got off the mark in pre-season with the only goal in a 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Bescot.
Burke did limp off after rolling his ankle in the 3-0 win over Forest Green Rovers on Saturday and it remains to be seen how severe the issue will be.
Mason Hancock
Hancock arrived at Walsall as a relative unknown from Scottish Championship outfit Airdrieonians at the start of the window.
His performances during pre-season have created room for early optimism. He impressed in his second half showing in a 4-0 win at Leamington, assisting Charlie Wragg's opener with a determined run and cutback from the byline.
He continued his auspicious start to life in Walsall colours with another top drawer performance against Villa. His classy back heal played an instrumental role in Burke's eventual winner during the first half.
Aaron Pressley
Pressley, signed from Stevenage earlier in the summer, has made quite the impression during pre-season.
He scored in routine wins over Leamington, Hereford and Forest Green, but his game is clearly more than just about goals.
The 6ft 4in frontman offers a focal point in attack but is also mobile enough to put in the ground work off the ball.
His record might not be prolific at this stage of his career, but perhaps continuity is what he needs to put together a consistent run.
