Dean Holden up for the fight at Walsall FC

Dean Holden today warned Walsall's rivals they are up for a fight to avoid another dice with the drop.

The new defender already reckons the Saddlers can forget their relegation fears because they have survival steel.

Holden penned a one-year deal on Monday to continue the Saddlers' recruitment drive and, after two straight battles with relegation, said he will rise to the challenge.

"It's a big challenge for everyone, one that I am looking to respond to and enjoy a productive season," he said.

"Having a player like Flo Cuvelier return in the midfield is fantastic news and last year the club was built on solid defensive foundations. Hopefully this will be the case again this time around.

"There are some great games to look forward to this season. First and foremost, though, we have to get together as a group and have a good pre-season.

"My aim is to get into the team and then keep my performance levels at a consistent standard."

Holden became the third new summer signing on Monday after he joined Cuvelier and Ashley Hemmings in penning contracts. Walsall are still hunting up to six new players after Manny Smith, Lee Beevers, Alex Nicholls, Manny Smith and Emmanuel Ledesma rejected new deals.

Walsall are still in talks with Sheffield United over compensation for Darryl Westlake, with the right-back set to join the Blades

n A Saddlers XI travel play Sporting Khalsa (7pm) at Noose Lane tonight to open their pre-season programme.

The squad is likely to be made up of youth team players with the first team starting their summer campaign at Telford on Tuesday.