Dean Smith decides who will stay at Saddlers

Walsall boss Dean Smith today revealed he has already decided which of his stars he wants to keep – and who will be axed.

The Saddlers chief has been forced to wait to talk to his players, with their League One future still up in the air.

Manny Smith, David Grof, Jimmy Walker, Anton Peterlin and Emmanuel Ledesma are among those out of contract.

And Smith, who tied down George Bowerman, Jamie Paterson and Will Grigg to long-term deals before Christmas, has decided who he wants to keep and release.

He said: "I know already but that's for me to sit down with them when the time is right. I want to be safe before I sit down and talk to them – and that's as much their job as it is mine.

"Their job is to get the points we need to give us League One security. Once they do that, I can sit down and start chatting to them."

Smith was keen to end the Saddlers' summer uncertainty by tying down his stars early but, because they are not safe, he has been unable to offer new deals.

And the manager insisted his men know why talks can't take place with fifth-from-bottom Walsall just three points above the drop zone with two games left.

Walsall host Huddersfield on Saturday, before going to Milton Keynes Dons on the final day.

Smith said: "They understand, they know, and they will probably be a little disappointed they didn't do it three or four games ago.

"We have to make sure we don't take our eye off the ball, keep concentrating and get the three points."

But Smith was able to offer professional contracts to youngsters Malvind Benning, Aaron Williams, Jamie Tank, Ben George and Kieron Morris last week.

The youth team, who beat Blackpool 4-1 at the weekend, challenged for the North West Youth Alliance title this season.

Smith said: "They have done fantastically well this season and, as a team, have only lost twice in the league.

"They had a little bit of change when our head of youth Neil Woods came and worked with me but Graham Biggs has done very well with them."