Lewis Warrington on how Walsall's environment gives young players the chance to thrive

The midfielder has made seven appearances for the Saddlers since joining on a two-year deal from League One side Leyton Orient in the summer. 

Walsall have built a strong track record for developing young players under Mat Sadler's watch and Warrington revealed that their reputation was a decisive factor behind him joining the club.

"It's a big part of my thinking. You need to look at the environment and see if you're going to strive in that environment," Warrington said.

"Walsall develop players. A lot moved on from last year and it's a really good place to be. 

"The gaffer was really big on me coming here. He has watched me a lot from my past days and where I did well on loan. 

"He knew what I was about and I watched Walsall's games before I came in and I felt that I could fit in really well because they suited the way I like to play." 

The 22-year-old has started five of the Saddlers' seven games in League Two so far this season and has been preferred to the more experienced Brandon Comley. 

Yet Warrington insists the competition has been healthy and that Comley has been very supportive to him, and vice versa.

"Coms has been great. When I've been out of the team, I've supported him, and when he has been out of the team, he's supported me," he added. 

"That's what it's about. It's a team game at the end of the day. If you start thinking individually then it's not going to benefit anyone. 

"I look at what I can control and if Coms is playing then I'll do my best as a teammate to support him and he has done the same for me."