'Everything is very open' Mat Sadler confirms Romaine Sawyers trial at Walsall

Sawyers, who made 161 appearances for the Saddlers between 2013 and 2016, featured for the final half-hour in a 1-0 win over Aston Villa on Wednesday night. 

The 33-year-old also figured in the 3-0 win over Hereford in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Essington on Saturday. 

Sadler feels the arrangement works for all parties, but was unable to add much clarity in terms of whether Walsall will bring him back to the club this summer.

'Everything is very open'

"Romaine has had a fantastic career. We all know the ability that he has on the football," Sadler revealed.

"For us, we're just all looking at each other and everything is very open. We have a style that we play and a way that we want to do things. 

"We'll just see. It was just to give him the opportunity to make sure that he was up to speed because he wants to keep playing. 

"Maybe a little bit like what we did with Milan [Lalkovic] when we did that two years ago. 

"Everyone's cards are completely open. Romaine doesn't live far away from the training ground and it works for everybody. 

"So we'll just see how it goes and there is nothing committed from anybody at the moment." 

Sadler is eagerly looking to add to his squad after bringing seven players on board so far this summer. 

Respect for Romaine will remain 'regardless' of the outcome

And the Walsall boss insists that the mutual respect between himself and Sawyers will remain strong regardless of the outcome.

"I spoke to Romaine on Saturday because he played in the game we had behind-closed-doors," he added.

"We said that we'll keep looking at each other. We're looking to recruit, we've got players that we want to bring in. 

"Always Romaine just upholds my respect for the player that he is, the professional he is and the person he is. 

"Whatever does happen, that respect will continue."