Bradley coming of age for Walsall

Walsall midfielder Mark Bradley believes he is finally coming of age in his bid to become a fixture in the team's engine room.

The youngster turns 22 on Thursday and has played in 18 of the Saddlers' 26 games this season.

With tomorrow's game at home to Norwich a victim of the weather, the Saddlers will have to face another fixtureless midweek.

Saturday's visit of Brighton is next up for Chris Hutchings' men, who have remained 10th in League One, despite not playing since December 19.

Bradley is desperate to rediscover his momentum and fight off the challenge of fit-again Richard Taundry.

He said: "I just want to play games, I want to play as many as I can and I do feel a part of it now. Before, as a young lad coming into the side it was different but hopefully I can just build on this.

"I always aim for 30 games, my best season was when I played 30-35 games, it's always good to play a lot of games."

Bradley is also ready to put club before country, despite the biggest carrot of his career drawing closer.

The youngster is already dreaming about the under-21 European Championships in Denmark next year, after helping the young Dragons to the top of their qualifying group.

But Bradley is using the international hiatus to focus on the Saddlers, despite their mid-season break due to the big freeze. He has cemented himself in the midfield alongside Dwayne Mattis, which earned him a call up to John Toshack's senior side for their October game in Liechtenstein.

While the player readily admits another call up and the Euros in Denmark are a target, his focus is strictly on the Saddlers.

He said: "That's what I'm aiming for but the club comes first and I want to keep working on my performances, get a good consistent level and then things will follow.

"I know Brian Flynn the under-21 coach is watching a lot of games. I need to be consistent in my performance and that kind of thing will come.

"I just focus on my own game and keep working hard in training."

Wales under-21s are due to play a double header against Hungary and second-placed Italy in September to seal their place in Denmark.

Despite being 23 at the time of the tournament, Bradley can still play, if selected, because he has taken part in the qualifiers.

It's a fact which isn't lost on the Welshman, despite the championships being 18-months away.

He said: "If we get there it would be great. Some of the England lads were 23 in the last tournament because they started in the qualifiers. If you play one game in the qualifying group then you can go.

"There's not a game for a while, we've played most of our games and we're top of the group. We've put our points on the table and it's up to them to catch us now. We've got two games left but they aren't until September which is good for my club.

"I can stay here now, I don't get any interruptions and I can just concentrate on doing well for Walsall."