Express & Star

Interest in Roberts from a host of clubs

Walsall’s on-loan Albion striker Tyler Roberts is being monitored by a host of clubs in the Premier League and Championship.

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The 18-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, has scored four goals in 12 appearances since joining the Saddlers in August.

Swansea, Brighton and Sunderland have all been credited with an interest in the Wales under-21 international.

But the Express & Star understands a number of other clubs in the Premier League and Championship are watching him – with a January departure from the Hawthorns potentially on the cards.

Roberts, who has previously enjoyed temporary moves to Oxford and Shrewsbury, is on loan at the Banks’s Stadium until January.

And the youngster is refusing to rule out staying at the club until the end of the season with the forward enjoying playing first team football under boss Jon Whitney.

The Saddlers manager has also expressed his desire to keep hold of him at the club.

Roberts is also expected to meet with Albion soon in a bid to discuss a new contract with at West Brom.

Meanwhile, Walsall goalkeeper Mark Gillespie says he is enjoying being at a club that has a rich history of producing goalkeepers.

The Saddlers have developed the talents of Richard O’Donnell and Neil Etheridge over the past few years with both moving on after securing moves to the Championship.

And Gillespie knows he has joined an illustrious list of keepers who have worn Walsall’s number one shirt.

“There has been a really good history of goalkeepers here,” the former Carlisle glovesman said.

“There’s the recent ones and then you have Mick Kearns walking around the building, who is a legend and heavily involved with the club.

“They were all fan favourites and I absolutely want to be the same.

“I’m really enjoying it here. It’s a step up in the leagues but this was the league where I broke into the Carlisle team.

“I think I’m very early in my Walsall career and I want to focus on game by game, getting better and helping the team as much as I can.”

Elsewhere, Walsall have opted to call off their League One clash at Blackburn, scheduled for November 11, due to international call-ups.

The Saddlers have exercised their option to postpone the game with Shaun Donnellan, Liam Kinsella (both Republic of Ireland under-21), Tyler Roberts (Wales under-21) and Maz Kouyhar (Afghanistan) expected to called up by their national sides.

A date for the re-arranged fixture is yet to be announced.