Saddlers will not renew loan deals for pair

Walsall today confirmed they will not renew Martin Devaney's and Liam Dickinson's loans from Barnsley.

Their deals were due to expire tomorrow and the Saddlers have decided against keeping them for another month.

Their last game was due to be Saturday's game with Oldham – before it was called off due to a frozen pitch – and boss Chris Hutchings praised the duo for their contributions.

He said: "I'd like to thank Martin and Liam for their efforts and I would also like to thank Barnsley for allowing them to come to us. I wish the boys all the best."

Yesterday Hutchings admitted he faced a tough decision on whether to gamble on Devaney's fitness because the Saddlers couldn't afford to keep him if he was sidelined.

The winger was injured for the whole of his second month after suffering a hamstring injury in the 1-1 FA Cup draw at Fleetwood in November.

He had made a big impact during his first spell, making four appearances and scoring once – in the 1-1 draw at Dagenham and Redbridge in October.

Devaney has been frozen out at Barnsley by boss Mark Robins and had been keen to stay at Walsall.

Dickinson followed his Oakwell colleague to the Banks's Stadium last month but failed to score in seven outings.

His departure leaves the Saddlers short up front with Reuben Reid and Jon Macken out for at least two weeks with hamstring and calf injuries respectively.

Skipper Darren Byfield is also sidelined with a long-term knee problem.

Hutchings handed Will Grigg his first start in last weekend's 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Torquay and the 19-year-old is likely to spearhead the Saddlers' attack before Reid and Macken return.

Alex Nicholls and Steve Jones are two likely options to partner Grigg while rookie Jamie Paterson, who made his first team debut this season, is another.

The rock bottom Saddlers are unable to bring in any reinforcements to help them beat the drop from League One until January after the loan window closed last week.

They are the lowest scorers in the division with just 17 goals and on-loan Reid – whose deal from Albion expires next month – is their six-goal top scorer.

Meanwhile, a new date for the home showdown with Oldham is yet to be announced.