Chris Hutchings eyes a transfer raid

Walsall boss Chris Hutchings is eyeing a January transfer raid as he looks to rescue the Saddlers season.

The manager is keen to do business next month with the club fighting relegation from League One.

They moved off the bottom of the table with a fine 1-0 win at Charlton on Sunday to ease the pressure on Hutchings before the visit of promotion-chasing Southampton on Saturday.

They then face relegation rivals Bristol Rovers and Dagenham before a clash with Notts County and Hutchings wants some new recruits next month to boost Walsall's survival hopes.

He said: "There is a bit of room in the budget. We've got to look at the situation, we have a few games coming up but it's something we're looking at.

"It's about putting the jigsaw together to get the final piece in place so it's complete, you get results and look the finished article.

"I'm not going to highlight where because all of a sudden players will be thinking 'he's going to get a striker, a defender and a midfielder in.'

"I've got three unhappy players here if I mention those three positions."

The Saddlers have come under-fire for their transfer dealings this season after extensive use of the market saw them sign six loanees.

Only Reuben Reid and Ryan McGivern, who is on a season-long loan from Manchester City, remain from the temporary players and Reid's deal from Albion expires next month.

But Hutchings insisted the club needs to call in favours from other teams because they can't afford to pay big wages.

He said: "We were fortunate to get players like Martin Devaney from Barnsley and Andrew Davies from Stoke but sometimes people need to do you favours because they are on big, big wages.

"We can't pay the wages those players are on and there are lots of elements, does the player want to come, does the club want to help you out and pay the wages?"

Walsall have confirmed all tickets bought for their postponed game with Oldham on December 4 are valid for the new date of Tuesday January 25.

It includes one adult and two juniors for £10 in connection with the festive fun day.