Jimmy Walker 'keen to stay at Walsall FC'

Boss Dean Smith today revealed Jimmy Walker's future at Walsall hinges on the goalkeeper's desire to move to the Midlands.

The Saddlers' record appearance holder is in talks with the club over a player/coach role with his current deal set to expire next month.

Walker is keen to extend his playing career and develop his coaching skills with David Grof challenging him for the No.1 spot.

But Smith insisted the ex-West Ham keeper, who has made 534 appearances for the Saddlers, must uproot from his Essex base if he wants to stay.

"I sat down with Wacka last week and there are a few things to be ironed out," he said. "The thing with Wacka is, if he wants to coach at the club, he would need to move to the area. He can't do it from Essex. Coaching is going to be so important to the club, the senior goalkeepers and the youth team goalkeepers.

"He is receptive but it's going to be about what he wants and needs. He's got a girlfriend and a young lad so he's going to have some decisions to make. If it was best for both of us it would be ideal."

Walker, who returned to the club in 2010 after a six year absence, confirmed this month he wanted to stay at the Banks's.

He lost his place to Grof after injury in January but returned for the final two games of the season to help keep the Saddlers in League One.

Hungarian Grof is currently considering a one-year deal from Walsall after an impressive first season, where he made 25 appearances.

Walker revelled in Grof's progress and Smith said the 37-year-old has found a fresh lease of life with his coaching ambitions.

"He helped Mick (Kearns, goalkeeping coach) last season and enjoyed it," said Smith, who played with Walker for the Saddlers in the 1990s.

"He can see a future career in coaching and he's got to start thinking that way now.

"And if he wants to coach and continue playing then he'll have to keep himself in trim. He was carrying a few extra pounds for my liking at the end of last season."