Walsall sign Andrew Davies on loan

Walsall have snapped up Stoke defender Andrew Davies on loan as they bid to resurrect their season.

The 25-year-old has joined for a month and is in line to make his debut in Saturday's crunch visit of Exeter, subject to Premier League clearance.

Davies arrives with the Saddlers winless in eight games in all competition and bottom of League One.

They have kept just one clean sheet all season and boss Chris Hutchings is under increasing pressure after a woeful start.

But the manager believes Davies will add much-needed experience to his fragile backline.

Hutchings said: "Andrew is a player with an exceptional pedigree who has played the majority of his football at Premier League level.

"He is a commanding defender with real quality and we are grateful to both Tony Pulis and John Rudge for allowing him to join us on loan."

Davies made 65 appearances for hometown club Middlesbrough before a £1million switch to Southampton in 2007.

Stoke signed him a year later but the former England under-21 international failed to make the breakthrough at the Britannia Stadium, making just one start and three substitute appearances in two years.

Loan spells at Preston and Sheffield United in 2009 followed, after finding his chances restricted at Stoke due to the form of Robert Huth and Ryan Shawcross.