Dean Smith is planning key role for Walsall's Dean Holden

Smith's plans for the next campaign are still in the formative stage but tying the 34-year-old down for another year as a player-coach has secured a key asset.

Smith said: "He has played a really big part in the progress of the likes of Reece Flanagan, who was on the bench for the last game of the season, Matt Preston and Mal Benning, who does a lot of work with him still.

"He has also been out watching the lads we send out on loan giving them some guidance – he has been really good for us.

"Could he be a manager one day? I think so. He definitely has all the attributes. I have not spoken at length with him about the management route and whether he wants to go that way but certainly coaching-wise he is doing his badges."

Holden has made it clear that he is far from finished as a player. The Andy Butler-Paul Downing partnership and then injury meant he didn't play in League One last season but with lynchpin Butler now gone, there could yet be an important role for his experience.

And Smith is delighted that Holden – and other senior players – have bought into the philosophy pioneered during his regime.

"The most important thing for me is we want to develop players but we have to make sure the experienced players we have with them are good role models- and we have got that in abundance," added the manager.

"Adam and James Chambers are terrific professionals and always want to lend a hand to the younger lads and some advice.

"We had Andy last year and Dean Holden so we have these wonderful, experienced players who can help out."