Express & Star

Walsall boss Smith will wait to move for duo

Manager Dean Smith admits Walsall must stay patient over prospective summer deals for Jordy Hiwula and Michael Cain.

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The duo have impressed during loan spells with the Saddlers this season and have now returned to their respective Premier League parent clubs.

Smith has expressed a desire to bring Manchester City striker Hiwula back to the Banks's, after the 20-year-old bagged nine goals during a three-month stay.

Meanwhile, he must wait to see what Leicester City decide to do with Cain, who is out of contract next month, before offering anything to the midfielder.

In both cases, Smith concedes deals cannot be rushed, saying: "The two of them have done really well and we thank their respective clubs.

"Talks will go on now after the season. They are both good players who have done well for us.

"But Michael is a Leicester player and Jordy is a Manchester City player so that's down to their respective clubs as to what they want to do with them."

Hiwula signed off his stint with the Saddlers in style as he scored two fine goals in the first half of Sunday's otherwise dire 8-2 defeat at Bristol City.

Smith added: "He scored two very good goals and that's what he can do. People tell me he can only play up front but certainly in that system, in a three coming off the line, he can cause trouble for anyone.

"He took both goals really well so I am really pleased with him. He's been a really good loan signing for us, as has Michael."

While talks with goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell and defender Paul Downing continue, Smith was set to sit down with his remaining out-of-contract players to discuss their futures this afternoon.

He said: "What I will do is deal with the players I've got at the club over the next week and see where we go from there.

"I am sitting down with the chief executive, Stefan Gamble, and the players so we know where we're at and what we need to do to move the club forward.

"Bristol City have certainly shown us a blueprint of how to move forward, because they were excellent."

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