Express & Star

Walsall star Erhun Oztumer: I want to play as high as possible

Walsall’s hopes of keeping Erhun Oztumer have been dealt a blow ahead of tonight’s clash with League One leaders Wigan Athletic, writes Daniel Mcinally.

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The Saddlers’ talisman admits his future could lie elsewhere after a stunning campaign that has seen him top the club’s scoring charts with 16 goals.

And with his contract up in the summer, the 26-year-old hinted his two-year stay at the Banks’s could be coming to an end.

“Every player wants to play higher, it’s the ambition,” Oztumer said. “Money doesn’t motivate me. For me, it’s playing at the highest ability, playing in front of bigger crowds and being the best you can be.

“In the summer, I’ll sit down with my agent and see what the options are, but I am confident about the future.”

A number of clubs have shown an interest in Oztumer, who has turned down two contract offers from the Saddlers, with a move to the Championship a distinct possibility.

He is expected to start for Walsall in Dean Keates’ first match in charge tonight – his 43rd appearance of the season – but it’s been a long road to establishing himself in the professional ranks.

“I went to many clubs on trial and they said the same thing, that I was too small. It’s always been a battle,” he said. “I remember times when I cried after being released, it was upsetting.

“My dad took me to the hospital to see if I could get injections to stimulate growth. I had a scan and was told that if you have capsules in your bones that are shut, you can’t grow anymore.

“We discovered mine were shut and since the age of 16, I have not grown.

“My parents helped me a lot during that time. I was on the brink of giving up, but they kept supporting me and never stopped believing in me.”

And after netting 60 times in 90 games for non-league Dulwich Hamlet, he got his big move to Peterborough United, before winding up in the West Midlands.

“I now try to use my size as an advantage, I am going to be quicker, more agile and more skilful than other players,” he added. “I am so glad I am here now, proving people wrong, I like doing that.

“I think the game is definitely changing, players like (Lionel) Messi, Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla have shown that. You don’t always have to be the biggest player to have the biggest impact.”