Darrell Clarke sets target for start of Walsall's pre-season training

The 42-year-old has previously called for ‘clarity’ from the EFL with the current season, resulting in a delay on his retained and released list of players being announced.

With a vote on curtailing the League Two campaign earmarked for this week, if a vote on the EFL regulation changes passes, Clarke has revealed he has plans for a return to training if a start date is set for next season.

“We have plans ahead if the season kicks off as it would in the first week of August and if it’s delayed a little bit we then work back,” he said.

“We’ll be looking at a six-week pre-season programme for the normal kick-off in August, which would be June 22. If the season is delayed then we’ll be looking for an eight-week pre-season programme.

“Players have had a fair bit of time off and in the first couple weeks the players wouldn’t be in full-time. We’re well-organised and we know where we’re heading and when we get clarity on dates we’ll be able to let the fans know a bit more.

“For the last 20 games of this season we were a top seven team and the last 10 games we were a top three team in League two, so we’re looking to build on that.

“We had great momentum at the right time, who’s to say we wouldn’t have made the play-offs, I know it was an outside shot but it was still a shot.

“My teams are renowned for finishing seasons well so we’re hoping to keep a nucleus of what we have together and kicking on.”

Meanwhile, Clarke has heaped praise on the supporters and club hierarchy for their work during the coronavirus crisis.

Chairman Leigh Pomlett and his board of directors have been regularly praised by fans for keeping the club afloat – while fans themselves have helped raise funds for the Saddlers.

Now, Clarke has insisted he is ‘proud’ to work for Walsall. “I think everybody can be very, very proud of themselves, starting from the supporters to the players, my staff, the staff at the ground – everybody has done their bit,” he added.

“We’ve really pulled together as the football club we are, in the community as well we’ve been doing great things. I’m proud to be manager of a football club that’s gone about its business in the way we have.”