Darryl Westlake signs Walsall contract

Defender Darryl Westlake has signed a new two-year contract as Walsall's recruitment drive gathers pace.

The right-back has committed his future to the club, after an impressive debut season where ending with the Young Player of the Year award.

Westlake made 24 appearances after making his senior debut against Southend last August and has declared himself ready to help the Saddlers mount a promotion push.

He said: "League One is getting tougher every season and it will be a good challenge for us, but I firmly believe that we can get into that play-off zone and really push on.

"My aim now is to keep working hard and progressing. Hopefully I will play even more games next season and it would also be nice to score my first goal.

"I felt that I adapted well to the step up in standard, working alongside the players in training on a daily basis really helped me."

The 19-year-old joins Alex Nicholls and Richard Taundry in penning a two-year contract – giving the Saddlers much needed stability.

Westlake reckons last season's breakthrough will stand him in good stead for another crack at the first team.

The defender said: "I am pleased to get two years. I can't wait for pre-season to get underway and then the matches to start again.

"I was delighted with the way that last season went for me. If I'm being totally honest, I didn't expect to play in as many games as I did and now I want to build upon it, play even more games during the season ahead and generally keep progressing.

"I learned a lot about the position last season. The experienced lads really helped me and I would like to think that I've developed more of a vocal presence on the pitch.

"Rhys Weston gave me excellent support and Manny Smith was always talking to me throughout games which certainly helped.

"I felt that I adapted well to the step up in standard, working alongside the players in training on a daily basis really helped me."

Striker Will Grigg signed up last week while Julian Gray, Mark Hughes, Rene Gilmartin and Jamie Vincent are still mulling over offers.

Last week's Football League conference in Malta held up talks but the Saddlers hope to have the deals tied up this week.