Ashley Hemmings leaves Walsall as club on alert over Febian Brandy

Hemmings took to Twitter last night to confirm he will be leaving the Saddlers when his contract expires next month.

The 23-year-old has been on loan at League Two Burton Albion since March but did not feature in the Brewers League Two play-off final defeat to Fleetwood yesterday, failing to make the bench.

Hemmings, who joined the Saddlers two years ago after being released by Wolves, posted: "Finally the end of the season and so gutted for the boys at @burtonalbionfc who've worked so hard an (sic) deserved to get promoted.. the best for them in the future.. An (sic) I hope the best for everyone at @WFCOfficial as well.. My time there has came (sic) to an end.. Been ups an downs but I've learnt a lot an enjoyed my 2 years there.. Thank you all."

Though it is yet to be confirmed by the club, Hemmings' departure will not come as a major surprise.

Despite scoring five goals last season, the winger struggled for consistency after a bright start to the campaign and found himself firmly out in the cold when the Saddlers re-signed Brandy on loan in January.

It is the latter's future which will now be of greater interest to fans, after reports in Yorkshire suggested Sheffield United are prepared to let the 25-year-old go for the right price.

Brandy has struggled to settle at Bramall Lane since moving there last summer when his contract at the Banks's expired and looks increasingly surplus to requirements, following the Blades signing of former Notts County wideman Jamal Campbell-Ryce

After bagging four goals during an impressive loan spell back with the Saddlers, boss Dean Smith and Brandy are now keen on a permanent return but several obstacles appear to stand in the way before that can become a reality.

Brandy still has a year left on his deal with the Blades, who are unlikely to let him go for free. The Saddlers have not paid for a transfer fee since 2005 when they bought James Constable from Chippenham Town for £4,000 – with the last significant sum being the £150,000 used to buy Jorge Leitao from Feirense in 2000.