Jon Macken backs Will Grigg to shine

Walsall forward Jon Macken has tipped Will Grigg for international stardom and backed his strike partner to shine for the Saddlers.

Macken reckons the Northern Ireland under-21 international can make the breakthrough to Nigel Worthington's senior squad.

Northern Ireland have been handed a tough World Cup 2014 qualifying draw in Group F with Portugal, Russia, Israel, Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.

But Grigg is on Worthington's radar after playing for the under-21s last term and Macken insisted he can land a spot in his country's World Cup qualifying campaign.

He said: "Definitely, Will is a very good player, he's a very talent young lad and has a bright future ahead of him. If he scores a few goals early on you don't know what's going to happen.

"He needs to push on this season and see where he is at the start of the year.

"He improved last season and it's bright for his future and for Walsall's."

Grigg has been handed the No.9 shirt for the new League One campaign, which starts at home to Leyton Orient on Saturday.

Macken and Grigg, who scored against Wolves in the 3-2 pre-season defeat, started Saturday's 1-1 draw at Port Vale and are likely to be first choices, despite the arrival of Ryan Jarvis from Leyton Orient.