Florent Cuvelier: I joined for Jon Whitney's Walsall wisdom

The midfielder put pen to paper on a one-year contract with the Saddlers last week following his departure from League One rivals Sheffield United.

Cuvelier is well-known to Saddlers fans after he enjoyed two impressive loan spells with the club in 2012. Back then, Whitney was employed as the club's head of medicine. And after an injury-blighted few years, Cuvelier believes the 45-year-old is the man who can help him return to playing the best football of his career.

"First and foremost it was the manager," Cuvelier said when asked why he opted for a return to the Banks's Stadium.

"I had a really good relationship with him when I was here before.

"The fact that Jon was a physio means he will be able to look after me and make sure I am at my very best every week. But he didn't have to say much. I truly enjoyed every second of my time here last time around and I had a really good connection with the fans. It was an easy decision and felt like I was coming back home."

Cuvelier is widely regarded as one of the best central midfielders in League One but his injury problems have seen him make just 24 appearances in the last three years.

But he now believes those problems are in the past and is aiming to be a key figure in another Saddlers promotion push. "I had a fantastic time here a couple of years ago – playing the best football I ever played – and I can't wait to do it again," the Belgian continued.

"My best memory was scoring the goal against Huddersfield that kept Walsall in League One.

"The stadium went crazy and it was the best goal I have scored in my career. Now, after last year, there will be expectation. Ideally we will look for promotion, we want to achieve it this year."