Walsall fans assured it's best to wait

Jon Whitney has urged Walsall fans not to panic over the lack of early signings as he prepared to return to his role as physio.

Saddlers boss Dean Smith had targeted quick deals but has been thwarted in his hunt for new faces.

Top target Matt Gill agreed to join Bristol Rovers on Monday while former loanee Marco Gbarssin's has been away on international duty with the Central African Republic.

Smith has also revealed his interest in released Millwall midfielder Marc Laird, who ended last season on loan at the Banks's Stadium.

But Whitney, who is stepping down as Smith's No 2, said the Saddlers will not rush into signing the wrong men.

He said: "Every club wants early signings but we have to be realistic enough to know it might not happen. The players have their offers from other clubs and try to wait for the best one.

"It's up to us to sell the club as a whole. It's up to us to get the right players in and not be rushed and end up with players to don't fit our profile.

"We want to be Premier League standard in what we do. In the Premier League they are elite athletes and so are our players, because they are such a small percentage of the population.

"We have to make sure we push all we can with the levels and resources we have got.

"We have to make sure we drain every little ounce we've got."

Whitney revealed in the Express & Star yesterday he will return to his role as first-team physio after a successful spell as Smith's assistant.