'Best shot' - Darren Byfield sends motivational message to Walsall's out-of-contract stars
Darren Byfield has urged his out-of-contract stars to play their way towards new deals - although he has confirmed he has "no involvement" in contract negotiations at Walsall.
The interim head coach has inspired the Saddlers to seven points from a possible nine to breath new life into their push for the League Two play-offs.
11 of the current crop are out-of-contract in the summer: Rico Browne, Aden Flint, Priestley Farquharson, Evan Weir, Brandon Comley, Charlie Lakin, Jamie Jellis, Dylan Thomas, Albert Adomah and Jamille Matt.
Alfie Chang also only penned a contract until the end of the season when he re-joined the club during the January transfer window.
Byfield 'not involved' in Walsall player contract talks
On the current contract situation, Byfield revealed: "I'm not involved in that part. For those boys that are out of contract, they're just playing to make sure they get another contract," Byfield said.
"If they're doing well with the rest of the team and we can go and get ourselves out of this league - then it only helps them.
"We're all aligned, we all know what we need to do and let's give it our best shot."
Elicha Ahui is another whose deal is due to expire at the end of the season - although the club have the option of extending by a further year.
The 22-year-old joined the club in January 2025 before immediately heading back to fellow Trivela-owned club Drogheda United on loan.
An ACL injury has kept him side lined for the past nine months and he is currently continuing his rehabilitation at Essington.
Meanwhile, Sam Hornby, Connor Barrett, Harry Williams, Mason Hancock, Vincent Harper, Ronan Maher, Alex Pattison, Courtney Clarke and Jake Hollman are all tied down until the end of the 2026-27 season.
Aaron Pressley and Harrison Burke both signed deals until 2028 when they joined last summer - the latter with an option year included.
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