Dean Smith hopeful Andy Butler will remain at Walsall

The Saddlers skipper is out of contract in the summer and must decide whether to take up the option of extending his deal by a further year.

Smith confirmed he has held talks with Butler and said discussions over the 30-year-old's future will continue.

"Andy's contract is up at the end of the season but he has an option to extend should he wish so," he said.

"I have already spoken to Andy and talks will be ongoing.

"There is no time scale at all. His contract is up at the end of the season and he has got that option."

When asked if he was confident Butler will stay Smith simply replied: "You are never confident when there is an option but we are hopeful, that is for sure."

Fans will be keeping their fingers crossed the popular skipper decides to remain at the Banks's. Butler has made more than 150 appearances for the Saddlers since joining as a free agent in November 2012, has been captain throughout Smith's time as manager and twice been named the club's player of the year.

He underlined his hero status earlier this season when he bagged the only goal in the famous 1-0 win over Wolves at Molinuex and his importance to the club is not lost on the manager, who said he is "adored" by everyone.

"I think everyone can see when they meet Andy that he enjoys being at this club and is the flag bearer so to speak in terms of being the team captain," said Smith. "I think he is adored by the fans but also by the staff and the players as well.

"He's been the talisman, my captain throughout my tenure here and the one player since I took over who is still here.

"He fits in with everything we stand for."

Smith revealed Butler, who lives in Yorkshire, asked for the year option to be in his favour when he signed his current deal last March.

"It's not uncommon," added the Saddlers boss. "It was something he asked for. We spoke and talked about the length of the contract last year. I think his family are from Doncaster and his wife wanted to get a bit closer to there.

"We wanted to see how he would go for the 12 months. He seems to have coped really well with it."