Bradley's pledge after Walsall axe

Axed midfielder Mark Bradley has backed Walsall's decision to shelve him but has promised to return stronger and prove them wrong.

The Wales under-21 international was one of seven released by the Saddlers yesterday, after five years and 104 appearances with the club.

Bradley has struggled to hold down a regular place in boss Chris Hutchings' line up this term and hadn't started since January.

But the former trainee agrees with his manager's call but believes being snubbed can define him.

He said: "They gave me a chance, but now I want to prove I am still a good player. I have to prove they have made a mistake.

"There's no point dwelling on it, I have got to move on and it will be good for me in the long term.

"It's disappointing but it will help me."

Bradley felt the writing was on the wall because of his lack of recent action.

He said: "It was 50-50, I was hoping for another year but I'm looking forward to something fresh.

"I had a good run in the team of about 21 games and then went away with Wales which was the biggest thing in my career, but came out of the team at Walsall and hardly playing the last 20 games killed me.

"Not playing gave them something to say."

But Bradley doesn't hold a grudge and thanked the Saddlers for giving him the platform to launch a career.

He said: "They have given me over 100 league games and some goals, I owe them a lot.

"The biggest thing was getting into the Wales squad, even though I didn't get onto the pitch it was great to step up."

Bradley was joined by Dwayne Mattis, Peter Till, Josh O'Keefe, Netan Sansara, Sam Adkins and Richard Davies in leaving the Banks's Stadium.

The seven were given support by striker Darren Byfield who commented on his Twitter account about the departures.

Byfield said: "Feel 4 the lads that have been released, this game can be cruel, last night (at the end of season awards on Sunday) we were all enjoying ourselves n then this morning (Monday) there are tears."