Pictures of Walsall's pre-season Devon trip

The Saddlers coaching staff wasted no time in putting the squad through its paces during a hectic first day on Monday,.

The players followed up their morning training session with gym work and a swimming session at their base in the University of Exeter.

Another training session was held yesterday morning and, aside from Ben Purkiss' ankle injury, Smith could not be happier with how the trip is progressing.

He said: "It's been really good, we have got some really good sessions into the players. Monday was a tough day for them, a long day.

"They trained hard in the morning, did gym work in the afternoon and had a swim later so it's enabled us to get some really good work into them.

"We have been able to have a lot of time with them to talk about things, what we want from them this season."

Smith believes the week represents a great chance for players to bond.

It's also a chance for his four new signings to date – Tom Bradshaw, Jordan Cook, James O'Connor and Craig MacGillivray – to integrate further into the group.

The Saddlers boss is confident of engendering the same type of team spirit and togetherness which has been present in recent seasons.

He said: "It's a working trip. It gives us time to integrate with the new lads who are working here and the others.

"Some personalities have gone and others come in. The group has evolved again. Some people who were maybe in the shadow last year will step forward.

"When you look at it there are only four or five players who have come in so far. The spirit is still going to be there.

"The players I have wanted to keep have stayed and they are players I knew would benefit this football club and help integrate the new lads.

"The team spirit will be there because we have picked the right players."