Saddlers boss happy to play waiting game

Dean Smith is ready to bide his time filling the final places in his squad as he waits to see what the loan market may offer.

Walsall boss Smith clinched another youngster on a one-year deal yesterday with former Leeds and Doncaster wide man James Baxendale signing.

The 19-year-old is the latest of the trialists to impress sufficiently to earn his chance but Smith said: "We'll assess things and see where we are in terms of the squad's development.

"There could be attractive players available if they sense they are not going to get into the first teams at clubs higher up the League. That is a possibility for us."

Smith is bound to be thinking of players such as Albion's Sam Mantom who is striving for a breakthrough under Steve Clarke at the moment, having made such a big impact on loan at the Banks's Stadium last season.

If Mantom misses out on Clarke's Premier League plans, another Walsall loan could be attractive to him.

Baxendale is relishing his chance under Smith having joined this week's recruitment drive of locally-based under-21s in Paul Downing (Albion) and Connor Taylor (Villa).

"I'm going to bring a real positive attitude to the team," he promised. "I'm the sort of player who likes to get on the ball, can see a pass and gets forward at every opportunity.

"The style of football here suits me down to the ground and the chance to get out there and express myself really appeals.

"The set-up here is great and I feel that with the players we've got we can develop as a group and progress together.

"I just want to be able to play my part in a positive season for the club where everyone is happy and pulling in the same direction."

The opening League game of the season is an obvious target for the Doncaster-born player. He added: "It's a great start to the season. Doncaster are not only my former club but it's my home town, so I'm looking forward to the game already.

"They like to get the ball down and play as well and, just like us, will be wanting to get off to a winning start, so it should make for an entertaining game. Winning the first game of the season sets you up nicely for a good campaign, so hopefully we can start as we mean to go on and I can play my part."