Walsall facing a battle for Lee Beevers

Walsall face competition from several clubs to re-sign their defender Lee Beevers.

The 28-year-old is attracting reported interest from several clubs, including SPL outfit Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Bury.

Beevers is out of contract in 11 days' time but has been offered a new deal by boss Dean Smith. But with Smith having to cope with a reduced budget, the Saddlers chief faces a battle to hang on to players.

Under boss Terry Butcher, Caley have a recent history of recruiting English-based players. They took French defender Claude Gnapka from the Banks's Stadium in January to the end of the season.

Thistle also borrowed former Saddlers loan midfielder David Davis for a successful spell last term and his Wolves team-mate Sam Winnall during a season where they signed midfielder Owain Tudur-Jones from Norwich.

Caley are looking to bolster their defensive ranks after losing long-serving Ross Tokely – a centre-back converted from right-back – to rivals Ross County.

Butcher said last week he has identified seven new players but added he couldn't name names because a lot were under contract.