Liam Kinsella's 'versatility and professionalism' earned him a new Walsall deal

Liam Kinsella was rewarded with a one-year contract extension because of his versatility and professionalism, revealed Walsall boss Jon Whitney.

The 20-year-old academy graduate, who can play midfield and right-back, has committed to the Saddlers until the summer of 2018.

"It is just reward for how he does things," said Whitney. "He is an excellent professional and epitomises what he is about with his work ethic and desire and enthusiasm.

"Every day he comes into make himself better.

"He is versatile. Whether we are playing in the Championship or in League One next season I don't want to carry too many players.

"He can play a couple of positions. He can play at right-back, he can sit as a holding midfielder and he can play in a midfield two as well.

"He has got a lot of strings to his bow. But he can do that because he is open to learning.

"That is why he is part of our squad."

Third-placed Walsall travel to fifth-placed Bradford today hoping to keep up the pressure on the top two.

"What we have to do is not let anxiety sap any energy from us," said Whitney. "We have to use it as fuel.

"All the time I think about winning promotion and how I can make that difference in the last few games.

"I think about what I can do just to make them recover and take the pressure off.

"But the players are great at supporting each other and taking things one game at a time.

"They buzz off each other, they help each other and that energy is what has got us where we are."

Whitney will be without Matt Pennington for today's game after the defender was recalled by parent club Everton.

But the Saddlers boss was unsurprised by the way the loanee easily fitted in to the squad.

"This is a great group to come into because there are no egos," he said.

"You can quickly come in and be yourself and express your personality and play your football."