Matt Richards hoping to keep Matt Gill at Walsall
Matt Richards today became the loan-arranger after admitting he is desperate to keep Matt Gill at Walsall.
Matt Richards today became the loan-arranger after admitting he is desperate to keep Matt Gill at Walsall.
The midfielder wants the Norwich loanee to stay after two goals in five games boosted the Saddlers' hope of beating the League One drop.
Gill's deal doesn't expire until after next Saturday's trip to Colchester but midfield partner Richards has already called for him to extend his stay.
"I'd like to see him stay because I'm enjoying playing with him and he's good for the team," he said.
"He's come in and I thought we've gelled very well, he likes getting on the ball and we have a good understanding. I'm really enjoying it.
"He's brought something different to the side and scored a couple of important goals, which is great for the team.
"We rotate, he goes forward and I sit or the other way around. He's very comfortable on the ball and likes having it to his feet. He's a calming sort of player and is helping the team."
Gill has admitted his future at Carrow Road looks bleak and an extended stay would suit all parties – if the Saddlers can strike a deal with the Canaries.
And boss Dean Smith confirmed he will talk to the 30-year-old closer to the end of his loan to discuss the options.
"I will sit down with Matt and see how he is," he said. "It looks like he is enjoying it and certainly his performances show that.
"He was probably disappointed when I brought him off on Saturday (a 3-1 win at Carlisle) but we had the game won and Paul Marshall has been chomping at the bit and needed some minutes.
"Matt has played well in all the games. He ran it against Exeter in his first game although he was fatigued against Notts County.
"He is the player I knew he was when I brought him in. He's a great footballer. He can break things up, he'a got a good habit of being in the right place at the right time and he's been a good foil for Matty Richards."
Meanwhile, Saddlers striker Will Grigg played 84 minutes in Northern Ireland Under-21s' 2-0 defeat to Wales at Wrexham last night.
