Walsall FC tracking ex-Leeds ace Ben Parker

Walsall FC were today tracking ex-Leeds ace Ben Parker as boss Dean Smith looks to plug the Saddlers' defensive gap.

The 24-year-old is available after being released by United at the end of last season following an injury-wrecked two years.

Left-back Parker suffered hamstring, hip and heel injuries at Elland Road and has held preliminary talks with Smith as he looks to resurrect his career.

"Ben is a player I've spoken to, he's not been in on trial but I have spoken to him and his representatives," said Smith, who has lost Manny Smith, Mat Sadler and Lee Beevers from his backline. "We're just chatting to him because he's suffered from injuries in the last couple of years. We've just had an initial chat before we decide where to go.

"We're in the market for a left-back, everyone knows that, because we lost Sads and there are plenty of names on my list.

"At the moment we're in a fantastic position, the trialists have really surprised me with the standard they are at and there are an awful lot of players without clubs who are contacting us."

Parker had a five-game loan spell at Carlisle last season and has also played for England Under-17s after making his Leeds debut in 2007.

He made 55 appearances for the Championships club and had loan spells at Bradford and Darlington.

Smith is also watching ex-Birmingham City midfielder Ashley Sammons and former Hull defender Joe Lamplough after inviting them for a trial.

"Ashley is training with us, he was one I spoke to at the end of last season," said Smith. "He had an injury at Birmingham and was an up and coming prospect there. Unfortunately the injury derailed him but he played against us in a friendly last season and impressed.

"I've seen him three or four times playing in the reserves too. Joe has been training with us as well. "We've had 10 or 11 trialists training and they have been fantastic. The training has gone really well considering the weather we've had.

"There's no time frame (to sign them), it will come down to individuals and their circumstances. In certain cases it might be our circumstances. If we think we might lose them then we'll have to come up with an offer."