Dean Smith hails signing Jason Price

Walsall boss Dean Smith today hailed new-boy Jason Price after snapping up the striker from Carlisle.

The 33-year-old is set to make his Saddlers debut, subject to clearance, against Bristol Rovers tomorrow after penning an initial month's loan deal.

Smith has been hunting a forward this month to bolster his goal-shy squad, who have scored just 28 goals in League One this season.

And the manager is hopeful the former Millwall ace, who has scored 86 goals in 479 appearances, can fire the Saddlers off the bottom.

He said: "For the last two or three weeks I've been looking to try and get him in. He's been out at Bradford and I think they wanted to get him back there as well. He can certainly do it at this level and hopefully we'll see that.

"He's a player I've known for a number of years. As well as what he brings on the pitch he brings a lot to the dressing room. He's a great character, he can score goals and brings a different dimension to us as well.

"He's got a presence about him and we are a team who lack a little bit of height. Jason brings that into the team but I wouldn't say that's just his game. He understands the game and he will bring people into play.

"He comes in for eight games and he'll be able to play seven of them so it was a fantastic opportunity."

The Welshman scored against the Saddlers in their 1-1 draw at Carlisle in May last year but will not be able to play against his parent club when Walsall travel to Brunton Park next Saturday.

And Price almost signed for Walsall in 2009 but opted for a last-minute switch to Millwall after the Lions entered the race.

Smith added: "Just before he went to Millwall the club were interested but being a London club Millwall probably had more money for him, he went down to London and he did well there.

"He's made an impact at every club he's gone to."

Price spent three months on loan at Bradford this season, scoring once in 11 appearances, and has made just four substitute outings for Carlisle this term after signing last summer.