Express & Star

Callum Cockerill-Mollett aiming to lock down his place at Walsall

Defender Callum Cockerill–Mollett is adamant that he is fighting for a place in Walsall's starting XI next season.

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The 21–year–old spent much of last season as understudy to on–loan left–back Cameron Pring – making 15 appearances in total.

Although manager Darrell Clarke is likely to recruit in the full–back positions before the start of the season, Cockerill–Mollett wants to lock down his place for the 2020/21 campaign.

"For me personally, I want to become first choice left-back or left-sided centre-half and cement my place throughout the season," he said.

"Before every season I came back in pre-season and wanted to be first choice.

"I want to play games and cement my position.

"The gaffer has always said to me to be confident in myself.

"He's watched me every day in training and he knows I can play at a high level in this league."

Meanwhile, Cockerill–Mollett believes the team has bonded well over the last year after the huge overhaul in players.

"I feel like we started the season ok and then had the rough patch in October," he added.

"We were a new team, getting to know each other's game with a lot of new signings – it doesn't click straight away.

"We kept the core of players for next season and we understand each other's game, so hopefully we have a much better season.

"We gel quite well as a group. It didn't come quickly, but we had that time away in Poland and the bond was stronger.

"It did come eventually as you could see before the end of the season, we were one of the in form teams.

"We picked up a lot of points towards the end and I think we would have finished very strong. We didn't get to see that but we did make good bonds and next season will hopefully be a good one."