Gym work is paying off for Tom Bradshaw

The 22-year-old netted his 11th goal of the season to earn the Saddlers a 1-1 draw at Sheffield United on Saturday.

Bradshaw's record this term is even more remarkable considering he has missed several games because of a persistent hamstring injury.

He has now netted nine times in just 13 league appearances and his manager believes hard work in the gym is paying off.

"He has done a lot of work to build himself up," said Smith. "He is starting to last longer in games now and he is a player who wants to score goals.

"He will be the first to congratulate the others for teeing it up for him. I think he has just come here (to the club) with a bit of confidence.

"He has got into the team at Port Vale at the start of the season and scored. His confidence has grown and we have a lot of belief in him."

Smith was full of superlatives for the quality of Bradshaw's headed finish from Jordan Cook's cross and the striker's all-round performance.

"I thought he played really well," he said. "He brought others into play and competed. It was hard for him up there on his own. It was a super header and he put it straight back across the keeper.

"The passing movement which led to it was we pleasing, which we hadn't seen much of in the first half and I said to the players at half-time we can be much better in possession.

"We had a couple of chances after Tom equalised and I thought we were the ones who were going to go and win the game.

"Tom has burst through and the keeper has made a good save and then Mal Benning has had a good chance with a header. I'm quite satisfied we came away with a point."

Smith expects to complete a loan extension for midfielder Michael Cain today. "We are just waiting for the paperwork," he added.