Walsall standing firm on Tom Bradshaw, Romaine Sawyers and Rico Henry
Walsall are edging closer to keeping their three crown jewels – as the Saddlers reportedly knocked back a Bristol City enquiry for Tom Bradshaw.
Walsall fans have endured a nervous January as they fret over their side's prospects of retaining striker Bradshaw, midfield playmaker Romaine Sawyers and effervescent full-back Rico Henry.
But as tonight's 11pm deadline ticks closer, Championship strugglers Bristol were said to have been told that Bradshaw is not for sale.
Boss Sean O'Driscoll earlier reiterated the League One promotion chasers aren't expecting any movement in – or out. "Nobody has picked up the phone and said they'd like to take any of the players," he said.
"As I have said before, the January transfer window is a misnomer for smaller clubs because you have the emergency loan window."
With no news being good news and Walsall's FA Cup interest ended by Saturday's 4-0 defeat at Reading, O'Driscoll can turn his attention to tomorrow's trip to his former club Doncaster. And the boss does not believe his side's performance will be affected by their Cup exit at the Championship outfit.
"The boys will quickly put the Reading game to bed," he said.
"We won't analyse it to death because we knew the lessons we had to learn and we have learnt them.
"We have got to make sure we put those lessons into our play for the remainder of the season so that we become a team that is decent on the ball, creates chances and is extremely hard to beat."
The 58-year-old enjoyed a hugely successful spell at the Keepmoat Stadium where he won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and also guided Donny into the Championship.
The Saddlers boss spent five years in charge of the South Yorkshire outfit who are now managed by Darren Ferguson. But despite the fond memories he has there, O'Driscoll is only concerned with masterminding a Walsall win tomorrow.