Ledesma happy to play bit-part role

Walsall midfielder Emmanuel Ledesma is happy to play a bit-part role despite emerging as the Saddlers' star man.

The Argentine ace, who scored his first goal for the club at the weekend, wants to put League One survival ahead of personal glory as the team battle the drop.

They travel to promotion-chasing Milton Keynes Dons on Friday, lying fourth from bottom after Dagenham's 1-1 at Leyton Orient last night moved them a point away from the relegation zone.

Ledesma came off the bench to inspire Walsall's 5-2 win over Hartlepool on Saturday but insisted he doesn't care when - or where - he plays.

He said: "It is a decision for the manager, not me. For me I have no problem whether it's the bench or I start. I just love to play.

"I like playing. If it's 4-4-2 and I'm up front or on the right, I don't mind. I like playing as a striker but on the right is good too.

"For me, this isn't work. This is a game. I enjoy it and I'm happy when I play. That's why I smile! The fans shout my name and I am very happy.

"The manager Dean Smith picked me and took me to Walsall and said 'you go out and play.' That's what I am doing and I am enjoying myself.

"I'm 22 and want to play. I am very happy in Walsall. That goal on Saturday was for the manager and the fans of Walsall.

"Now the mentality of the team and fans has to be 'we will stay in League One.' We have the motivation.

"It is always possible to win football matches."

Former Queens Park Rangers player Ledesma also saluted the Walsall fans who have thrown their backing behind Smith.

He said: "For me, the fans are player number 12. On the pitch there are 11 players but the fans are very important for the 11 players. I like it when they chant and sing.

"I always wanted to play in England and have happy memories from QPR, now I will remember Saturday. I was very happy, 2-0 to 5-2 was very good and it was an important three points.

"It was good but not only my performance - the team in the second-half showed a good mentality.

"I played well but the team also played very good."