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Josh Ginnelly: The best is yet to come at Walsall

Winger Josh Ginnelly is adamant he is yet to hit his peak for Walsall.

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The 19-year-old, who joined the Saddlers on loan from Burnley in the summer, has cemented his place in Jon Whitney's squad over the past few months.

Ginnelly has featured in each of Walsall's last 12 games and put in man of the match performances in the Checkatrade Trophy win over Leicester and also in the 1-1 draw secured at MK Dons.

But the youngster, who is initally with the Saddlers until January, believes his best is still to come.

"I feel there is still a lot more to come from me," he said.

"I have been pleased with how I've been doing recently.

"But, with more playing time, hopefully I will get better and better.

"I'm quite an honest player and I will work hard for the team.

"But I want to bring more individual skill and make things happen.

"From a young age, I've always liked to practise my free-kicks and corners.

"But I also want to get goals onto my game and to start taking some of the chances I have had.

"As long as I'm getting into the right positions, then I'm sure some goals will come.

"I'd like to think I can add goals which would help the strikers out."

Ginnelly came through the ranks at Shrewsbury before being being snapped up by Burnley in August 2015.

And the youngster feels he is now being rewarded for his hard work after initially struggling to break into the Walsall team.

"It's frustrating for any player when you're not playing," he continued.

"All I want to do is play football and when it wasn't going my way, it was hard.

"But you've got to keep your standards and keep your match fitness so that you're ready to take your chance if called upon.

"If you're not ready, then it would set you back even more.

"It was frustrating not playing but I dug deep and finally got back in the team.

"I worked hard every day to try to impress the gaffer. It was an experience you go through and I'm starting to get the rewards for my hard work now."

Ginnelly is competing with fellow wingers Franck Moussa and Kieron Morris for a place in the Saddlers starting XI.

But he says he is learning a lot from the pair and also full-back Jason McCarthy with whom he has struck up an impressive partnership down the right flank.

"Franck and Kieron are both good players and it's important to have competition because it keeps you on your toes and you don't get complacent," Ginnelly added.

"I'm competing with people like Franck and Kieron, players who have played so many league games, so it's good that I'm being tested by them all the time.

"Franck has played in the Championship, he's had a good career and he's someone I look up to. It's good to be around players like him and Kieron and I have learnt a lot from them.

"Jason too has also been great. We get on really well and have a lot of banter about our link-up play.

"I've really enjoyed playing with Jason and he likes to get forward as well. Sometimes I'll let him do his bit and I'll cover him. We bounce off each other and click really well, so it's good playing with him."

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