Walsall FC: Dean Smith has big hopes for young signings

Walsall FC's Dean Smith is confident his youthful recruits will seize their moment in the League One campaign now just a fortnight away.

Smith added four under- 21s to his squad in the last week with James Baxendale joining Febian Brandy, Paul Downing and Connor Taylor in the new-look squad.

The Walsall boss says the signing of young faces has been driven by merit and not the cheap option for a club on a tight budget.

"It's not something I've looked to do deliberately, but it's just that those are the players I thought would strengthen us," he said.

"I've been happy with our work so far. It's gone really well and it's been an exciting combination for me.

"We have a nucleus of players with experience at this level who are still with us and now we've got younger players coming into their stride.

"And then we've got these young players coming in fresh to the club."

After today's clash against Burton, Walsall will wrap up their preparations with a plum home friendly against Albion on Tuesday before they begin in earnest against Brentford in the Capital One Cup a week today.