Walsall keen to keep Hiwula next season

The 20-year-old has impressed while on loan at the Banks's Stadium this term, scoring four goals in 11 appearances since joining in early February.

And boss Smith has revealed he will now explore the possibility of signing Hiwula on a season-long loan deal in the summer.

Smith said: "Jordy has done really well and there may be a possibility to get him on a full season loan, which is something I'm looking to explore with Manchester City,

"He has had a great impact. When Tom (Bradshaw) was injured he has come in and scored goals. He gives us a threat up front."

Hiwula's current stay is due to expire on April 6 but the Saddlers have already agreed a deal in principle to keep him until the end of the current campaign.

He has provided key back-up to 16-goal top scorer Bradshaw, who has missed chunks of the season with recurring hamstring problems.

Bradshaw, whose current deal expires in 2016, is one of four players currently in negotiations with the club over a new contract.

Goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell and defender Paul Downing, whose deals are up in the summer, are also in talks, along with 17-year-old full-back Rico Henry.

Smith hopes agreements can be reached in the coming weeks, saying: "Discussions are ongoing with the players and their representatives, at the moment.

"We are hopeful we will have something sorted soon. We would like to have it sorted before the end of the season for both them and us, to see where we are going to move forward."

Smith will make a decision on several other players whose deals are due to expire when the season is complete.

The Walsall chief admits the final nine games of the league campaign, starting with today's trip to Chesterfield, is a chance for some members of the squad to show what they can do.

He said: "It is an opportunity for them. I know enough about the players and what they are about.

"But for the ones I have not spoken to yet - they will be wondering and it is an opportunity to go and impress."

He went on: "We have not had the consistency this season and that is something we have been striving for. We have been too high and too low."