Walsall continue talks with Mathieu Manset

The Saddlers are locked in talks with the 24-year-old's representatives, with manager Dean Smith keen on adding the former Hereford United and Reading hitman to his forward ranks.

Manset impressed on trial at the Banks's last week but has now returned to France as discussions continue.

"We are talking and it's with a view to a deal, obviously when you are dealing with agents it gets a little bit trickier," revealed Smith.

"That is where we are at. He was at Royal Antwerp last season but he is based in France, he has a fiancée and a baby over there.

"We would like him to come here, we are negotiating with his people."

Manset was named man of the match after netting in the 3-2 friendly defeat to Premier League Leicester City last Wednesday and was as a substitute in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Mansfield Town.

Smith says he has been impressed by the player's attitude and suggested the Saddlers are prepared to be patient it needed to get the deal done.

"He has done well," added Smith. "What I like about his is his attitude to it. He has come in and told us what he wants and he likes what he is doing here.

"I don't think he is anywhere near fit at the moment but that excites me even more because, if we get him a little bit fitter, there could be a really good player there.

"At the moment he is not our player and negotiations are ongoing. We have been negotiating for two or three days already.

"Unfortunately his representatives have some big clients and are busy elsewhere at the moment. It's not something being done very quickly. We have the whole of August to do it.

"Ideally, you want people in who you know but because we have had him for the week and half we feel we have got to know a little bit about him and he has got to know us."

Forward Danny Webber remains with the Saddlers on a trial basis after talks with Smith yesterday.

The 32-year-old will feature in tonight's final pre-season friendly with Villa at the Banks's (kick-off 7.30pm).