Walsall FC's Dean Smith eyes new striker

The Saddlers boss has been dogged by questions all season over his side's perceived lack of firepower.

Despite currently sitting sixth in League One, they are comfortably the lowest scorers in the top half of the table and sections of the club's support have continually called for Smith to sign a central striker.

And he has now revealed a forward is among two players he has enquired about. Smith hopes any deals could be struck as early as next week.

"We have couple of phone calls in at the moment where we are waiting for phone calls back," he said.

"In the next seven days we are hopeful of getting something done.

"We have looked at a lot of different positions. We are looking at a forward and we are looking at other positions as well."

Smith made his first move of the January transfer window earlier this week when he brought Febian Brandy back on loan from Sheffield United but is keen to further bolster his squad with the Saddlers excellently placed for a play-off push.

Other business which could be taken care of today is the future of winger Julian Gray. The 34-year-old's short-term contract expires on Monday and Smith confirmed he would be meeting with the former Birmingham City man, who has scored one goal but has not started a game since returning to the Banks's in September.

Smith also confirmed his desire to secure the services of left-back Andy Taylor on a new contract. The 27-year-old's current deal is due to expire in the summer.

"Andy has done well this season," added Smith. "He is definitely one I will be speaking to."

While talk of a new forward may be in the air, the Saddlers will welcome last season's top scorer Will Grigg back the Banks's tomorrow along with league leaders Brentford.

Grigg turned down the offer of a new contract last summer before moving to the Bees and is likely to receive a frosty reception from the home crowd. But Smith insists he bears no grudge against his former talisman.

"I think he will get booed because he's not playing for us," he said. "That is normally what happens.

"But Will knows we were a big part of his development, we helped him along the way and he has always recognised that."

Two-time Saddlers loanee Florent Cuvelier has joined Port Vale on loan for the rest of the season from Sheffield United