Walsall's Ronan Maher eager to kick on after loan

Maher has also registered six assists across his two loan spells at Dales Lane.

Joe Foulkes, who has made 17 first team appearances this term, also spent two seasons at Kidderminster Harriers, achieving promotion to the National League during the latter.

And Maher feels that others will benefit from the experiences that he has had.

Maher said: “At these young ages, you need to go out and get senior football at a good level and try to show what you can do.

“That’s what Joe Foulkes and I have both done. It can only pave the way for young players coming through to hopefully do the same.”

While Maher had 17 senior appearances to his name prior to his first loan with the Pics, Walsall are making strides to provide young players with senior experience at the earliest possible age.

That will mean the likes of Cayden Bennett, Tom Owen, Jaiy Leydon, Dylan Thomas and Charlie Wragg will likely be on the lookout for loans midway into next season.

The whole loan process will also enable Walsall to fast track the next generation into the under-18s, as academy boss Rob Williams noted.

“We’re fairly certain that from December onwards, second year players will go out on loan,” he revealed.

“We’ll go very young with our under-18s so again we’ve had four under-15s who’ve played in the under-18s this year.

“So the value for them stepping up is also really positive because under-18s is maybe a stretch because it’s so quick and physically much more demanding than they’re used to.

“The whole loan process is really important and hopefully is the bit that will stand them in good stead moving forward because it bridges that gap between us and the adult game.”