Dean Smith is backing David Martin

Walsall manager Dean Smith today backed David Martin and insisted the on-loan winger has what it takes to become a Saddlers star.

The Banks's Stadium boss insisted Martin, who joined from Derby last week, can provide the spark to reignite the club's season.

They go to Colchester on Saturday on the back of a four-game winless run but Smith reckons the wide man will shine.

Smith said: "He's a good player, I know he is because I've seen him plenty of times. He was one of the big successes in Millwall's promotion from this league a couple of years ago and rightly got a move to Derby.

"He hasn't made the impact he wanted to in the Championship but, at the moment, he needs games.

"If he comes here and does as well as I know he can Derby will be looking to take him back and get him in their squad as soon as they can.

"He needs to be playing regularly and that's what we can offer him.

"He will get used to the lads and how we do things."