Darren Byfield eyes new Walsall deal

Walsall striker Darren Byfield has admitted he is in limbo but revealed he wants to stay with the Saddlers.

The 34-year-old – who has missed most of the season with a knee injury – is out of contract at the end of the campaign.

Byfield has made just 11 appearances this term, scoring once, and only made his first-team comeback last month.

But the the club captain, who returned to the Saddlers in 2009, wants to stay at the Banks's Stadium, although he admitted he must find his form to be worthy of a new deal.

He said: "I am out of contract at the end of the season, so I don't know what will happen. I haven't played all season so we'll have to see whether the manager will bring in his own players.

"I want to say here. I love being here, I am back at home but I haven't really thought about it. My first thought has been to get fit, get back into the side and score goals to keep us up.

"Then if that happens maybe I will get another year."

Byfield isn't the only player whose deal ends this summer with Matt Richards, goalkeeper Jimmy Walker, Andy Butler and Julian Gray in the same position.

Manager Dean Smith confirmed earlier this month the club have put any contract talks on ice until they know what division they are playing in next term.

And Byfield realises the club's League One future comes first ahead of the final nine games, ahead of Saturday's visit of Hartlepool.

He said: "This is a massive few weeks for the club. A few months ago we didn't look like we were going to win games.

"We didn't look enthusiastic but now we look like a team and if we continue to do that we will stay up."