Walsall may give Jack Kiersey another shot

The 21-year-old left the Everton youth set-up last summer to join the Saddlers for Clarke’s first season.

His short-term contract was up in January and the club chose not to renew it, but invited him back to train. Persistent injuries limited him to only three Walsall appearances, but Clarke has now said that he may look at the midfielder again if he can get fit.

“Jack was on a very small deal over a short period of time and we never got to the bottom of his injury, which was delaying him and stopping him playing,” he said. “He’s gone away and worked very hard on his rehab. He’s a player that I’m not ruling out and might come in to take a look at in pre-season.

“The boy has got talent, but we’ll see how that develops and see where he’s at with his rehab.

“But I know he’s been working extremely hard and he’s somebody I’ve kept in touch with.”