Dean Smith eyes more additions for Walsall FC

The Saddlers boss, who last week persuaded James Chambers to stay for another year and signed promising young keeper Craig McGillivray, is still looking for further reinforcements after losing Andy Butler and Craig Westcarr.

Butler has now signed for Sheffield United while Westcarr, who Smith decided not to retain, yesterday agreed a two-year deal with Portsmouth.

"Things are progressing well in terms of recruitment," said Smith. "We're closing in on a few more targets and I am expecting some positive news in this respect in the not too distant future.

"I'm pleased with where we are at with this at the moment.

"The excitement for the new season really starts to step up a notch when the fixtures are released. There are some great games to look forward to and we can't wait to get stuck into it."

The League One fixtures threw up a derby start for the Saddlers with a trip to Port Vale, one of the manager's former clubs, on opening day. That will be followed by a Banks's Stadium double against Bradford and Yeovil.

Smith said: "It's a very good start."

I expect a big turn-out of Walsall supporters at Vale Park to cheer us on.

"We had two keenly-contested games against them last season but unfortunately they managed to do the double over us, so it is time that we redressed the balance and had the bragging rights.

"Hopefully we can go there and start the season in the best possible way by getting a victory.

"After that we face two consecutive home games against Bradford City and Yeovil Town. Whilst it is fair to say that League One doesn't have the big names this year, there are some solid clubs and I would put Bradford City in that category.

"They have a large fan base and I expect them to be up there challenging, so it is a good game for us to start our home League programme.

"Then we host Yeovil Town who are fresh from their adventure in The Championship last season. It will be interesting to see how they regroup from that and the players that they bring in over the summer."

Following the release of the fixtures, the Saddlers have swiftly revealed their Category A games for the new campaign – four matches against Swindon on Boxing Day, Coventry on January 3, the return against Vale on February 14 and visit of Sheffield United – and Butler - on March 17.