A waiting game for Walsall on O'Donnell

The 26-year-old shot-stopper, the club's player of the season, has been offered a two-year deal to stay at the Banks's Stadium.

But with a number of other apparent suitors for a shot-stopper who kept 21 clean sheets this season, Smith accepts the Saddlers have been left playing a waiting game.

The Walsall boss said: "We have made him an offer and we are waiting for him to accept it or not. We have to wait and see."

Championship side Reading were last week reported to be keeping tabs on O'Donnell, a virtual ever-present for the Saddlers since joining in 2013.

Smith has, meanwhile, rejected suggestions from some quarters the club left it too late to begin talks with their No 1.

And Smith said: "Earlier in the season, if I had been offering him a contract after Scunthorpe and Oldham away, I think a few supporters might have been questioning my logic.

"In November we felt the lad was progressing and we felt he was worth a contract offer then, which we did. We went back in February as well but, unfortunately, he was not willing to accept it."

Smith insists he is prepared should the player go, adding: "For four or five months I have planned he might go because his agent indicated that to me.

"Between myself, Neil Cutler and Richard O'Kelly we have been contemplating that might happen, whatever we offered him we would be looking at other options as well.

"I would love him to stay, because we have helped him develop into a really good goalkeeper."