Dean Smith: Walsall wanted to keep Milan Lalkovic
Dean Smith admits he would love to have kept Milan Lalkovic at Walsall - ahead of tomorrow's expected reunion with the forward.
Lalkovic, who scored six goals in 42 appearances while on loan from Chelsea last season, is likely to start for Barnsley against the Saddlers at Oakwell.
The 22-year-old Slovakian turned down the chance to sign a permanent deal at the Banks's in the summer, instead moving to Czech club Mlada Boleslav.
But after struggling to make an impact he returned to England in January, signing an 18-month deal with the Tykes, who go into the game unbeaten in four.
"We know what he has got and what he can do," said Smith. "He can be a threat but our players know him pretty well."
"We would have loved to have had him here from the start of the season, we spoke about that.
"I think he got offered a bit more to go abroad and it didn't quite work out.
"When time came for him to come back we had already stocked up with our players and it wasn't to be."
Lalkovic was a popular figure with both team-mates and supporters during his season in the Midlands and still speaks to Smith on a regular basis.
The Saddlers boss, who admits there was no chance of any deal for the forward being resurrected in January, believes he will have learned from his experience on the continent.
"I kept in touch with him because he is a great lad and I think liked to seek advice from me at times," said Smith.
"It was never a possibility (in January). Milan knew the score when he decided to go in the summer.
"He is a really nice lad, quite an emotive kid and I think he found a connection here. He felt a real part of the club last season even though he was a Chelsea player.
"You never lose that, he still has that affinity.
"I think it was a really tough decision for him, whether it was the lure of money, certainly the chance to play Europa League football pushed him toward them.
"I spoke to him when he signed for Barnsley and I said the main thing is you learn from the experiences.
"He has learned an awful lot from going over there and it not working out. He knows what he wants to do now."
Jordan Cook and Anthony Forde (both groin) are doubtful for the Saddlers.
