Mat Sadler has high hopes at Walsall

New signing Mat Sadler has fired a warning to Walsall's promotion rivals and insisted they can mount a Championship charge.

The left-back is confident the Saddlers can challenge at the top – despite only beating the League One drop by a point last season.

The former Birmingham youngster penned a one-year deal at the Banks's Stadium yesterday, after being released by Watford, to become Dean Smith's first summer signing.

And Sadler insisted his new club can build on last season's Great Escape and launch a shock promotion bid.

He said: "There is no reason why this club can't get back up to Championship level again and have some real success.

"This fits in with my own ambitions and I know that I can really push my career on here. Living locally, I know what this club is all about.

"It's a really nice set-up with some lovely facilities that would rival most in the league above."

Sadler moved to Watford from Blues for £750,000 in 2008 but hadn't played for the Hornets since Boxing Day of that year, after falling out of favour with managers Brendan Rodgers and Malky Mackay.

The 26-year-old spent last season on loan at Shrewsbury and helped them to the League Two play-offs before they were knocked out by Torquay.

And the former Northampton and Stockport loanee insisted his play-off experience can help the Saddlers.

He added: "I played in every minute of the season for Shrewsbury last year. It was thoroughly enjoyable and will stand me in good stead for the challenges which lie ahead here."