Amadou Bakayoko keen for Walsall impact

The talented 20-year-old has made a big impression on Saddlers fans this summer after netting five goals in four friendly appearances.

Born in Sierra Leone, Bakayoko put pen to paper on a new one-year deal with the club back in May.

Now he is aiming to make the 2016-17 season his breakthrough year, with the forward determined to be among the goals for Jon Whitney's side.

Bakayoko said: "On a personal level, I'm very pleased with how pre-season has gone.

"But the important thing is that we click as a team and, hopefully, push on this season. It's been great to get on the score-sheet regularly.

"I have been working hard on my fitness and I know I've got to keep working hard because I want this year to be the year I really get going."

Bakayoko thinks his goals in pre-season have given him the confidence to make an even bigger impression on the first-team in League One.

He said: "For any striker – confidence is important. My all-round game is good but it's about confidence and getting that out of me.

"Now I'm really pushing myself and I want to play as many games as possible. I've got a good feeling I'll do well. I'm going to work hard and give it everything."

Bakayoko's form in pre-season has also delighted boss Whitney.

And the Saddlers chief believes the youngster will get even better by playing alongside fellow frontman Simeon Jackson.

Whitney said: "Ama (Bakayoko) has been great in pre-season," he said. "His work ethic is fantastic. He is chomping at the bit, at the moment, and is very confident.

"The arrival of Simeon and Franck (Moussa) has also lifted him because they are great people to learn from.

"But one of his main strengths is his physical presence and he's really starting to use that now."