The path of Marc-Antoine Gbarssin

Have boots, will travel, but Walsall's on-loan midfielder Marc-Antoine Gbarssin isn't a footballing mercenary.

The unknown 26-year-old is forging a career in England and will complete another milestone in his colourful career when he makes his Banks's Stadium bow against Leyton Orient tonight.

Gbarssin, who made his Walsall debut in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Swindon, became the Saddlers' ninth loan signing this term after penning a month's deal from Carlisle. It's a stunning turnover - but a policy the club insist is vital to their survival chances.

The over-use of the loan market has been criticised this term with more misses than hits but the Frenchman has bought into the club more than others.

While Liam Dickinson flopped, Matt Gill flourished and Gbarssin is determined to be more success than sob story.

He said: "I always wanted to come to England and play football. It's a a dream. Everyone knows England is the country of football so you want to be here to show you can play.

"Before I came to England I didn't know much about Walsall but when I came to Carlisle there was another player in Jason Price going to Walsall on loan, so I heard from him it was a good club.

"When I knew I was going to come here I looked back and saw a few French players had been here, such as Roger Boli and Jean-Jacques Eydelie - a big French player. The club has an opened-minded structure so it's a good experience for me.

"Every time I wear a shirt I'm always proud, I'm proud to be a footballer. Moving is part of the game, sometimes you don't stay too long.

"A lot of the time it's not the player's choice because it's the business of the game, but I want to stay in England for a long time.

"If you speak English you can live in any country - as a footballer you must be ready to go abroad to play. I want to play here because it's a good place.

"I don't know what will happen in the future but I'm happy at Walsall."

Gbarssin's path is well worn, beginning at hometown club Bordeaux, taking in Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp before an aborted move to Italian side Bologna in 2010.

A switch to Carlisle at the end of last year, after leaving FC Fredericia, finally completed his journey to England.

But Gbarssin, who has also had spells in Grenoble, SK Lombeek and RE Virton, insists he has adapted.

He said: "It's different, the football is more intense than in France. As a footballer if you play in one competition and then another you will get better every time. For me it's another step in my career.

"It won't be difficult for me to adapt to English football after playing in Belgium, it's almost the same but at a lower level."

After striving to reach England for nine years, Gbarssin isn't about to blow his big chance.

He said: "It's my first season in England so I have to show I can take it to the next level and bring something to the team.

"For me, I want to give it my best."

Tonight will be another pivotal evening in shaping the fifth-bottom Saddlers' League One future with Plymouth hosting Swindon, Bristol Rovers travelling to Tranmere and Dagenham entertaining Colchester.

Walsall face one of the form teams with Orient having lost just twice in 24 games - including last week's 5-0 FA Cup defeat at Arsenal.

They haven't lost in the league since slumping 5-0 to Brighton on January 1, but Gbarssin has warned Orient they must be at their best.

He said: "They are in good form, having done some good things, but they will have to battle against us."