Emmanuel Ledesma ponders new Saddlers deal

Emmanuel Ledesma was today considering a new deal from Walsall after the Saddlers made their bid to keep him.

The Argentine striker is one of nine players offered new terms by the club as boss Dean Smith shapes his squad following League One survival.

Six players were released, including Jon Macken and Kevan Hurst, yesterday while Ledesma, Alex Nicholls, Lee Beevers, Mat Sadler, Manny Smith and Richard Taundry were offered contracts.

Walsall also moved to keep David Grof, Jake Jones and Darryl Westlake while midfielder Adam Chambers has an option in his current deal to stay.

Ledesma scored four goals after returning to the club in March, almost a year after he first left Walsall following last season's 'Great Escape'.

The Saddlers, who finished 19th in League One after Saturday's final day 1-0 win at MK Dons, offered him a new contract last year but he opted to return to Argentina with his pregnant partner.

But legendary goalkeeper Jimmy Walker, who has made a record 534 appearances for the Saddlers, will wait until next week before holding talks with Smith.

The 38-year-old has insisted he wants to continue at the Saddlers, who he first joined in 1993, after he broke Colin Harrison's appearance record in January.

Skipper Andy Butler, Jamie Paterson, Will Grigg and George Bowerman are all contracted to the club for next season with youngsters Mal Benning, Aaron Williams, Jamie Tank, Ben George and Kieron Morris.