Walsall's transfer state of play as Lee Grant's squad continues to take shape

Walsall have made six signings so far this summer - but as Lee Grant has admitted himself, there is still plenty of work left to do.

Jed Ward, James Connolly, Sven Sprangler, Lewis Simper and Andrew Dallas have all arrived permanently - while young midfielder Isaac Moore joined on a season-long loan from Coventry City last week.

All of the summer recruits barring Connolly featured in the Saddlers’ pre-season opener at Leamington on Saturday, which ended in a goalless draw.

There are still plenty of gaps left to fill and we’ve taken a look at what Walsall could still need this summer.

Another goalkeeper?

The length of the deal handed to Jed Ward strongly suggests he will be the No 1 pick between the sticks next season.

Ward, 23, arrived from Bristol Rovers on a three-year deal with the option of a further 12 months last week.

There was no game time for academy graduate Jenson Kilroy in their pre-season opener at Leamington on Saturday.

Instead, Grant scanned his eye over a trialist during the second half, which hints at his desire to further bolster his goalkeeping department ahead of the new season.

If that is the case then Kilroy will certainly benefit from a loan spell further up the footballing pyramid.

Firepower needed in attack

Dallas led the line in the first half and almost opened his account when his strike was disallowed for offside on the cusp of half-time.

Aaron Pressley will be looking to prove a point after a challenging debut campaign last term, but Walsall still need more firepower in attack.

Another permanent option would be ideal and perhaps a loan option once that market sparks into life later in the window.

In the past two seasons, Daniel Kanu and Nathan Lowe joined Walsall later in the summer. So, patience could be required on that front.

Defensive reinforcements

The defence is still in desperate need of investment despite the signing of former Crewe Alexandra centre-back James Connolly.

Connolly was the only summer recruit not to feature in Leamington, but Harrison Burke proved a vocal force with the armband in the second half.

The second Walsall trialist started in the heart of defence, but was replaced after just half an hour.

But Walsall are still pretty much down to the bare bones in central defence following the departures of Aden Flint, Evan Weir and Priestley Farquharson coupled with the end of Kacper Lopata’s loan.

Rico Browne can offer versatility after penning a new long-term deal earlier this summer, but at least two new defenders could be needed.

Why full-backs are not a priority

Many expected Walsall to be in the market for another right-back when Connor Barrett departed for Wigan Athletic.

But Browne and Elicha Ahui both played on the weekend and Mason Hancock will be competing with Vincent Harper on the left.

There are question marks over Ahui after his 10-month absence due to an ACL injury over the past year, but Walsall might need to focus on other areas before turning their attentions to the right-back options.

The wide options

38-year-old Albert Adomah rolled back the years at times when he reverted to his traditional position on the right wing under former interim head coach Darren Byfield.

But he cannot be relied upon to start every game. Courtney Clarke looked bright on the left wing in the second half at Leamington and Ronan Maher is another wide option at Grant’s disposal.

Nonetheless, Walsall clearly need more on the flanks if they want to be an attacking force next season.

Physicality in midfield

Grant clearly identified the midfield as the area which needed the most immediate attention.

Brandon Comley, Charlie Lakin, Jamie Jellis and Alfie Chang all departed in the summer and Grant has been quick to bolster his options in the centre of the park.

Sprangler is likely to replace Comley as the team’s No 6 and Isaac Moore looks to be a good box-to-box option from early viewing.

Lewis Simper has been deployed on the flanks at times for his former club Sutton United, but could be the creator in chief as a No 10.

Another observation is in the increase in height in midfield. Moore stands at 6ft 1in and Sprangler at 6ft, as Grant wants to marry physicality with technical prowess in the new season.

Alex Pattison, Clarke and Maher also offer further depth, although that is not to say that the Saddlers’ business in midfield is done yet.