Saddlers boss hails Andrew Davies' fighting spirit

Walsall manager Chris Hutchings today hailed Andrew Davies' fighting spirit and backed the defender to lead the Saddlers out of trouble.

The Stoke loanee signed on a month's loan this week as the Saddlers attempt to arrest their worrying slide which has seen them slump to the bottom of League One.

Davies had been frozen out at the Britannia Stadium and Hutchings has been impressed with his determination.

He said: "It's great because a lot of players don't want to come down to League One.

"But once he knew of our interest he said 'there's only one way and that's up and that's the way I want to take you'. It was very refreshing and great to hear. He's a northerner and most northerners have some fighting spirit, they've got something about them. He will stick his head in and is looking forward to being involved during his time here."

Meanwhile, Hutchings admitted he is struggling to hold Richard Taundry back after the midfielder was given the green light to step-up his training.

Taundry has been out for five weeks since damaging knee ligaments in the 2-1 Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat at home to Chesterfield.

"The good news is he's seen the specialist who has given him the go-ahead, which is a massive plus for him because we know what Taunds is like," said Hutchings.