Wes McDonald happy to keep learning at Walsall

The winger, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Tuesday, was plucked from obscurity in the summer of 2019 and went on to have a wonderful first season with the Saddlers, resulting in him being awarded with a new 18-month contract in January 2020.

This season he has struggled for consistent game-time and performances and when asked of he is still learning his trade, he said: "Of course. I'm not the finished article.

"There's still a lot more to come from me as a player. Every day is a new opportunity to learn new things, on and off the pitch.

"There's always room for improvement."

When asked what he specifically needs to improve, he added: "I'd say my heading for sure. I'm not the biggest in size.

"Also getting in at the back post to add an extra few goals.

"Everybody knows what type of player I am after seeing me for the last couple years.

"On the pitch, certain things I do or see, if other players see that also we get a good connection and things might come off."

Meanwhile, head coach Brian Dutton has welcomed the return of Mat Sadler to his dugout.

The assistant managed, who has been a player-coach this season, had a consistent run of games due to injuries to both James Clarke and Dan Scarr in recent months.

In the last two games, however, Sadler has sat out of the squad altogether and focused on his coaching responsibilities after his fellow centre-backs regained fitness – a move Dutton has welcomed.

"It was a breathe of fresh air to have him on the sidelines for me," Dutton said.

"That allowed me to watch the game, study and understand it.

"It was huge (having Sadler on the sidelines), you couldn't quantify it to be honest.

"Since I've been in charge it's been a one-man team, with the greatest respect to Maik (Taylor) who specialises in goalkeepers.

"I'm out there having to do the warm-up with the lads, having to bark on at them and get them in the right positions.

"I'm unable to study the game how I wish and this was my first opportunity to do that and I enjoyed it."