Jimmy Walker backed to break Saddlers record

Dean Smith today insisted Jimmy Walker will smash Walsall's appearance record and backed the stopper to be better than ever.

The Saddlers chief reckons the 38-year-old can be an ever-present this year and labelled him a club legend.

Walker is set to make his 506th Walsall appearance in the League One opener against Leyton Orient on Saturday – just 24 short of the Colin Harrison's all-time record.

And Smith said the veteran keeper, who signed a one-year extension this summer, will cement himself into Walsall history.

He said: "With a pre-season under his belt he'll be better than he was last season.

"He will go on and break the appearance record, I'm sure it's one of the things which gets Jimmy up in the morning."