'Close to my heart' - Cheltenham's Isaac Hutchinson on facing former club Walsall
Isaac Hutchinson says Walsall is a club he still "holds close to my heart" as he prepares to face his former employers with Cheltenham Town on Saturday.
The 25-year-old, who departed the Saddlers for Bristol Rovers in 2024, scored 23 goals and set-up 19 more in 106 appearances during his two seasons at Bescot.
Hutchinson notched a career-high 15 goals and 12 assists in his final campaign, which was current boss Mat Sadler's first in the dugout.
Since joining Cheltenham on loan on deadline day, Hutchinson has found the net three times in seven games for the Gloucestershire outfit.
And although his focus is on getting three points with his current club, Hutchinson praised the role that Walsall played in his development.
Walsall helped me 'grow' as a player and person - Hutchinson
"They were massive for me and it's a club that I'll always hold close to my heart," he told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
"I'll always give them the respect they deserve for the role they played in my career.
"Michael Flynn was there for one year and then Mat Sadler in the second year.
"Him and his staff were so good for me. They allowed me to play well, grow as a player and as a person as well.
"I've not got a bad word to say about anyone within that club, including the fans.
"It'll be nice to see everyone again, but I still just want to win the game for Cheltenham."
Hutchinson was briefly reunited with ex-Saddlers boss Michael Flynn, who managed him during his first season in the West Midlands.
Flynn was relieved of his duties following a 3-0 defeat at Oldham Athletic on September 20 and replaced by Steve Cotterill.
Cotterill, who returned to the Robins over 23 years after his last spell, has lifted them out of the relegation zone with seven points from his first three games.
'I will treat it like a normal game'
And Hutchinson is eager to put sentiment to one side when Walsall come to the EV Charger Points Stadium for the lunch-time kick-off.
"You just try and treat it like any other game," he added.
"It was only a couple of seasons ago, but it feels like a long time now.
"A lot has happened in my career since then and at Walsall as well.
"They've gone through a lot of change and ins and outs of players.
"There are only a handful of people there in the team and staff that were there when I was there.
"That makes it easier for me to treat it like a normal game because it's a different set of players and a different team."
