Walsall boss has target list 'as long as your arm'

With Febian Brandy already snaffled by Sheffield United, the Saddlers are still sweating on the decision of top scorer Will Grigg.

Smith now concedes it's only '50-50' whether Grigg stay at the Banks's Stadium. It means a significant chunk of goalscoring threat will be removed from the team.

The Saddlers earned big plaudits last season for its challenge to reach the League One play-offs but the Saddlers manager today sent a calming message to fans.

Smith revealed that he will not be short of options in the event of another departure and said: "Nothing ever surprises you in this game.

"I have got lots and lots of agents ringing me daily and there is a list of players as long as your arm. There's a big pool of available talent out there so no-one is panicking.

"Our efforts last season mean that it is inevitable other clubs will come and look at your players.

"But it also means there's a lot more players who are sitting up and taking notice of us, players who might have seen us as unfashionable before but are now interested in talking to us.

"To be honest, I have had phone calls from players who are interested in coming who have surprised me. I expected this process.

"But we get the best out of players and, if they do what they should do on the training ground, they will get the best for themselves.

"People know that is what we are about."

This inevitably means Walsall's pre-season schedule will feature plenty of trialists again, although Smith has an added lure this summer with next week's trip to Trinidad & Tobago.

He already has a goalkeeper and a centre-forward pencilled in to join Walsall on the trip but is anxious to keep names under wraps to ward off rival clubs.

Goalkeeping is another key area to be strengthened – the Saddlers have only teenage rookie Liam Roberts for the position at the moment – but Smith is looking to sign someone "we can further develop."

But he is reluctant to repeat last season's policy of loaning goalkeepers, particularly from fellow League One clubs.

Smith said: "There are two games they are not available for before you even start."