Dean Smith eyes two attackers for Walsall

The Saddlers boss has not heard from the 24-year-old French striker since talks over a contract hit stalemate last week.

Smith is instead pressing on with other deals and remains hopeful of bringing in new faces by the end of the week.

Despite signing Tom Bradshaw, Ashley Grimes and Jordan Cook over the summer the manager is still keen to add to his side's firepower.

"I'm looking at getting a couple in still and we are doing work on those two players," he said. "It's just forward players in general.

"We said last season we did not score enough goals and that is the area where we want to get better."

Should Smith get the men he wants, it would kill-off any remaining hope of a deal being struck with Manset.

The manager admits he has had no contact with the striker since talks stalled last week over the length of contract on offer.

Manset wants a two-year deal but the Saddlers are only willing to offer one, with the option for a second should he play the requisite amount of games.

"There is no news on Mathieu, I don't know what has happened there," said Smith. "We made the offer and they have not accepted it, we have not heard anything else.

"It's one of those things where you make an offer depending on a player's value.

"I have no doubt he could have improved us but you don't go risking the budget for next season on a player who has been at four clubs in two years.

"If he believes in himself that much he can go and play the games and get a contract. It's still there, the deal.

"But I'm looking to get somebody else in and if they come in during the week then it will be dead, yes."

Walsall head to Southend in the Capital One Cup tomorrow with Smith admitting they will not rush back midfielder Sam Mantom.

The 22-year-old was not named in the 18-man squad at Port Vale on Saturday, having missed much of pre-season with a knee ligament injury.