Amadou Bakayoko: I will grab my chance at Walsall

Striker Amadou Bakayoko has vowed to make an even bigger impact on Walsall's first-team following his impressive start to the campaign.

The 20-year-old was handed his full Saddlers debut on Tuesday and marked the occasion with a stunning hat-trick as Jon Whitney's side overcame Grimsby in the EFL Trophy.

Bakayoko has been in impressive form since bursting onto the scene in pre-season with the forward netting five times in four friendly appearances.

Now the striker is aiming to take his goalscoring exploits into League One – with Bakayoko promising the best is still to come.

"It was a great feeling to get the hat-trick against Grimsby because I felt I had a point to prove," he said.

"It was my full debut and pre-season has pushed me on. I've been frustrated that I haven't scored when I've come off the bench in the league this season.

"To get the hat-trick was great and it was a great feeling to win the game as well.

"But I have got to keep going now. There is a lot of hard work ahead.

"I'm really pleased with my progress. But it's still only the start of the season.

"I want to play as many games as possible and I'm sure you're going to be seeing a lot more of me.

"The gaffer always picks who he feels is best for each game. But when I get my chance in the league I will take it."

Bakayoko is yet to set individual targets for the season but insisted the team aims to be competing at the top of League One.

"I haven't got any targets other than to play as many games as possible," the forward continued.

"The important thing is to have a successful season as a team and be competing at the top of the division. We are a young team but we are improving all the time and we score a lot of goals."