Walsall star Tom Bradshaw hails goal ace Jordy Hiwula

Saddlers boss Dean Smith has already made clear his intention to bring Hiwula – who scored nine goals in 20 games after joining on February 2 – back on a season-long loan next term.

And Bradshaw, who finished the season as Walsall's 20-goal top-scorer, says his keen eye both for a goal and a defence-splitting pass would be welcome additions to next season's attack.

He said: "He has had a great goal-scoring return but he also offers a return out wide and it is enjoyable playing with him.

"It was a great ball from him for my goal against Oldham (on April 25) and as a goal-scorer, when you have people like that who score goals themselves but then set you up, it is a great thing to have in your team."

Hiwula's move to the Bank's Stadium was his second loan spell of the season following a less successful run at Yeovil Town earlier in the campaign.

Hiwula, who has returned to City's Elite Development Squad following the end of the League One campaign, netted just once in nine games with the Huish Park side.

But he enjoyed his time at Walsall more and said he was prepared to go back out on loan next season to continue his footballing education.

He said: "I'd be willing to go out on loan again and continue my development but I'll do whatever Man City want me to do, work hard and see where it takes me.

"I enjoyed my first spell with Yeovil and even though I don't think I did that well.

"I learned a lot because it was the first time I'd been away from home and also played senior football, all of which made the second spell that much better.

"As a striker you get judged on goals and I didn't find the net in any of the nine games I played for Yeovil.

"It's more of a personal disappointment because I just wanted to contribute more to the team.

"At Walsall, things went much better and I scored on my debut within four minutes," he said.

"I managed nine goals in 19 games and I also played in the Johnston's Paint Trophy Final at Wembley in front of more than 72,000 people as well.

"We lost 2-0 to Bristol City but I was proud to play at the home of English football because a lot of players will never get the chance to play there."