Why keeping Albert Adomah next season makes sense for Walsall

Walsall remain in contract discussions with the veteran who will embark on his third season with the club if both parties reach an agreement.

Besides from Alex Pattison, the current squad is lacking in experience following the departures of Aden Flint, Brandon Comley and Jamille Matt.

Goalkeeper Sam Hornby will offer know-how in the changing room but has not been a regular between the sticks since joining in the summer of 2024.

Adomah - who will turn 39 in December - has also proven last season that he still has more left in the tank.

He scored eight times across all competitions and surpassed 100 appearances for the club on Good Friday: becoming the first player in Football League history to play 100 games for six different clubs.

Not only that, but Adomah still has the enthusiasm of a youngster and will be chasing down further milestones - including his 800th club appearance, which he is just five shy of reaching.

The balance that new head coach Lee Grant will need to strike is how to use him most efficiently. He cannot be expected to play every game, but he could be a crucial asset both on and off the pitch if managed correctly.

Adomah served as more an impact sub under Mat Sadler last season - scoring from the bench in wins over Tranmere Rovers and Accrington Stanley respectively.

But his best performances came in his traditional position on the right wing once Darren Byfield switched to a 4-3-3 during his interim stint.

He played there once under Sadler and played an instrumental role in leading Walsall to a 2-2 comeback draw at Chesterfield in late January.

And he also rolled back the years when he bagged a brace and an assist in a 3-0 victory at Crewe Alexandra in Byfield’s first game.

The veteran added to his tally in an April victory at Barrow but was perhaps overexerted at times, with the 38-year-old starting nine of the last 10 games in League Two.

Managing his minutes will be key if Walsall want to get the best out of him but the numbers of his impact on the pitch speak for themselves.

In the end, Adomah finished the season with 12 direct goal contributions - an average of 0.56 per 90 across all competitions.

Express & Star can also confirm that Rico Browne has been offered a new contract by Walsall, although reports elsewhere recently claimed that the defender has turned it down.

Those reports remain unconfirmed by the club who are still in discussions with Browne, but if Walsall must prioritise any of the two then tying Adomah down to a new deal should be top of their agenda.