Manny Smith hails Walsall's ace card

Walsall defender Manny Smith has hailed team-mate Emmanuel Ledesma as the Saddlers' ace card in their relegation battle.

The Argentine sensation inspired the team to Saturday's 5-2 win over Hartlepool as they roared back from 2-0 down.

It kept the Saddlers fourth from bottom in League One, level on 39 points with Dagenham, going into the final eight games of the season.

And Smith insisted Ledesma, who scored his first Walsall goal on Saturday, can make the difference in the run-in.

The centre-back said: "Emmanuel is a game-changer. He's not scared to try things wherever he is on the pitch and he's like a breath of fresh air.

"He's never afraid to take on any player and, off the field, is not afraid to speak his mind. He's a little bossy - he even tells me what to do. He's demanding for someone his age but that's good.

"He's settled in well and is good to be around. He always comes into training with a smile on his face."

Dagenham & Redbridge go to Leyton Orient tonight for the first of their four games in hand, matches which will have a bearing on the Saddlers' League One fate.

Smith knows they cannot afford to blow their chance after getting out of jail against Hartlepool.

He said: "Against other teams if we go two down we won't score five.

"The first-half was poor but if we can keep playing like we did in the second half we won't have anything to worry about."

Smith's defensive cohort Alex Hickman has also joined non-league Redditch on loan until the end of April, with the 19-year-old rookie yet to make his first-team bow.

He said: "I have learned so much working with manager Dean Smith and advisor Chris Nicholl each day.

"They really have done wonders for me and now I want to prove what I am capable of."

Sean Geddes has also extended his stay with Redditch for another month, but striker George Bowerman has returned after his spell at the Valley Stadium.