Walsall boss wants two more signings

Walsall boss Dean Smith today identified the need to bring in an extra midfielder and an additional defender before the League One season kicks off.

The Saddlers slipped to a 3-2 loss to League Two club Cheltenham at Whaddon Road last night, as they continued their pre-season preparations with a defeat.

Smith accepts that he will have to work within a certain financial framework this season but is still keen to bolster his squad for the tests which lie ahead.

The manager would not name specific targets but is working hard behind the scenes to try and increase his options, before the first competitive game of the season against Leyton Orient at the Banks's Stadium on August 6.

He said: "I have got a couple of things bubbling along at the moment but nothing definite, so we'll just have to see how things pan out over the next week or so.

"I am looking at a bit of everything - loan deals, free transfers and bringing a few in permanently - as things stand at the moment and ideally before the first game.

"I have had a lot of telephone calls and I think we might have a behind-closed-doors match next week at the training ground and take a look at a few of them then.

"We are little bit light in the centre of midfield and perhaps a little bit thin in the centre-back area, so that is something we are taking a good look at."