David Grof assured he has a future at Walsall FC

The Hungarian shot-stopper has fallen behind a string of loan custodians after starting the season as the Saddlers' No 1.

Karl Darlow, Aaron McCarey and now new Milton Keynes Dons loanee Ian McLoughlin have all been brought in after Grof failed to convince Smith.

But the manager has assured Grof, who has made 14 appearances this term but none since November, he is still in his plans.

Smith said: "Yes, he's still a young goalkeeper. He had a tough time when he came back after Karl's initial loan.

"Then we brought Aaron in and he did really well for us. David has got to compete with other goalkeepers to prove that he is good enough to get that starting position.

"I have seen his fight. He came and asked me if he could play in the reserves against Walsall Wood last week.

"It was going to be an under-21 game. That shows David's attitude and it can only be good for us."

McLoughlin was drafted in from League One rivals Dons on Sunday and made his debut in the impressive 3-1 win at Preston – his first game since the Dons' 2-0 League Cup defeat to Sunderland last September.

The Republic of Ireland under-21 international is on-loan for a month but it could be extended.

Smith said: "Initially it's for a month, but we will see where we go from there. It was a pleasing debut for him and I hope he can continue that."

McLoughlin was the sixth goalkeeper the Saddlers have had in a match-day squad this season – with Jimmy Walker and trainee Richard Jones also included on the bench.

Smith knows the situation is not ideal but insisted losing Darlow – who was recalled by Nottingham Forest last week – was out of their control.

He said: "Losing Karl was always a possibility. We signed him on an emergency loan, with the view of getting him on a standard loan."