New boss Lee Grant explains where Walsall are with recruitment

New Walsall boss Lee Grant has revealed the club are “making progress” with their early summer transfer business.

It has been a busy first week in charge for Grant, who has been in constant discussions with head of football Stewart Mairs and other club officials as preparations continue for the new campaign.

Despite only being announced as head coach a little over a week ago, Grant said he has been encouraged by the club’s early movement in the transfer market.

“We're certainly making progress, I'd say that,” he said. “In the short time I've been here, myself, Stewart and everybody involved has been encouraged with the progress we've made.

“We're not signing anybody imminently, so don't expect to be here tomorrow unveiling three or four players.

“But, I'm certainly encouraging the football club to get as much work as we can do prior to pre-season, because that will give us that extra advantage as well.”

A total of 12 players were released by Walsall following the conclusion of last season, while the club’s six loanees also returned to their parent clubs.

It signals the start of a significant rebuild and a new era under Grant, who will now look to shape his own competitive squad over the coming months.

Asked about his first week in the role, Grant added: “If I'm not on the phone to an agent, then I'm probably talking to that agent's player.

“If I'm not doing either of those two things, then I'm probably in a meeting with the head of recruitment and head of football regarding those conversations.

“If it's none of those two or three things, then I'm most definitely watching the players.

“Very, very heavy in terms of recruitment currently. As you would expect, we've got a lot of work to do when it comes to that, but we knew that on the way in. We were really well prepared for that.

“Part of the reason probably why I'm sat here talking is because I was prepared for that before I've even walked into the job. I think that's probably encouraged Walsall to make the decision they've made.

“From my perspective, seeing that we do have a good head of recruitment, we do have a head of football who really understands the landscape we're operating in. All of these things are like: ‘Right, great, we've got a good opportunity to do some good work here’.

“We're busy in that regard. We've got a small matter of pre-season and making sure the detail around that's right. But that's all just part of the job and the exciting bit.”