Lee Beevers quits Walsall FC

Lee Beevers has become the latest player to quit Walsall – leaving the skeleton Saddlers with just six senior players today.

The defender penned a two-deal at Blue Square Premier side Mansfield yesterday after he failed to agree terms with the Saddlers to continue the player exodus.

Walsall had offered the 28-year-old a new deal after he made 40 appearances following a switch from Colchester last summer.

Last night the right back tweeted: "Wish wfc all the best for the future. Enjoyed my time there and a great set of lad, but it's time for a new challenge."

Beevers' departure leaves the Saddlers with just six players – Andy Butler, Adam Chambers, David Grof, George Bowerman, Jamie Paterson and Will Grigg – with first team experience ahead of the start of pre-season next Thursday.

Jake Jones and new professionals Aaron Williams, Mal Benning, Kieron Morris and Ben George make up the rest of the squad.

The future of record appearance holder Jimmy Walker is still in doubt with the goalkeeper and the club yet to announce a decision.

Talks were on-going between the parties about a player/coach role for Walker, who turns 39 next month.

Walsall have already lost Mat Sadler to Crawley and Alex Nicholls to Northampton while Emmanuel Ledesma looks set to join Middlesbrough.

Richard Taundry rejected a verbal offer while Darryl Westlake and Manny Smith, linked with Notts County, also rejected initial deals.

Oliver Lancashire, Kevan Hurst, Anton Peterlin, Ryan Jarvis and Jon Macken were all released in May and of the 16 players in the squad for the final day 1-0 win against MK Dons last season just five remain.

Meanwhile, skipper Butler started the countdown to the start of the new League One campaign ahead of the Saddlers' return to pre-season training.

The squad are due to start their summer programme at Essington next week before friendlies with Wolves and Kidderminster.

They host Brentford in the Capital One Cup on August 11 before the League One curtain raiser at home to Doncaster a week later.

And skipper Butler, who was born in Doncaster, is eager to face his home-town club.

"It's a good opening game," said the defender. "Being a Doncaster lad, I'm really looking forward to it and I'll have a few friends watching from the away end.

"I scored my first-ever senior goal against Rovers, so another would be nice."