Dean Smith wants deals for his staff

Walsall boss Dean Smith is hoping he can follow his new contract at the club by persuading backroom team Jon Whitney and Chris Nicholl to join him.

Smith's right-hand men have played an invaluable role in helping the 40-year-old make such an impressive impact at the sharp end of football management and would love nothing more than to seal the pair as confirmed assistants at the end of the season.

Much will depend on how the Saddlers survival fight pans out and, as a consequence of that, next season's budgets.

But Whitney's role as assistant and the more informal guidance of Nicholl, a vastly-experienced former Saddlers boss, has been hugely appreciated by Smith – who wants them to firm up their duties.

Smith said: "Jon stepped in as my assistant and Chris is on an advisory role so they are day-to-day. How we have done it is I have agreed my contract with the football club and I'm here for the next two years.

''I will sit down with Jon and Chris and speak to them to find out whether they want to be a part of it.

"The two of them know what I want to do and they're fully behind me and they've played a major part in what we're trying to achieve.

"Chris has got a lot of experience and a lot of knowledge and it's something I tap into quite often. We haven't achieved anything yet but what we're trying to do is give yourself a chance.

"But there is a big opportunity for us to do something here if we stay up, which in itself would be a fantastic achievement."