Saddlers ponder move for Jonathan Forte
Jonathan Forte today emerged as a name on Dean Smith's watch-list with the Walsall boss primed for the January sales.
Jonathan Forte today emerged as a name on Dean Smith's watch-list with the Walsall boss primed for the January sales.
The Southampton striker is on Smith's radar with the Saddlers chief having him watched as he assesses his striking options.
Forte is out of favour at St Mary's and sources in Southampton insist the Saints will not block a move – but will want a fee.
Smith recently admitted the Saddlers will struggle to fund permanent moves and will focus on the cheaper loan market.
A temporary deal is more likely should Smith decide to move, although he has not made an official approach for the former Scunthorpe man.
Forte is under consideration as the Saddlers try to solve their goalscoring woes having hit just 22 in 22 games this season – the second worst record in League One.
He joined the Saints in January but has struggled to make an impact – scoring four goals in 14 games – and was loaned out to Preston in November, failing to net in four outings.
The 25-year-old started his career at Sheffield United – with current Saddlers winger Kevan Hurst – and linked up with the wideman again at Scunthorpe in 2007 after loan spells at Doncaster and Rotherham.
Forte has scored 41 goals in 270 games – 141 starts – and has netted twice in the Carling Cup for Southampton this season.
But Forte, a Barbados international, is on a long list Smith has scouted as he bids to ignite the Saddlers' flagging campaign.
Ex-Birmingham and Albion midfielder Darren Carter also interested Smith before he was ruled out for three months with a severe groin injury he sustained while on trial at Nottingham Forest in November.
Carter was believed to be keen on a move to the Banks's Stadium to revive his career after being released by Preston in the summer.
Smith will also have to decide whether to keep Middlesbrough loanee Andy Halliday with his deal set to expire next month.
The winger has struggled to make an impact since his November switch, making just two starts,.
* The Banks's Stadium ticket office will be open tomorrow and Friday from 9am-4.30pm and 9am-1pm on Saturday ahead of the New Year's Eve visit of Rochdale.
