Defensive competition continues to help raise Walsall defender David Okagbue's game

Walsall defender David Okagbue insists the competition for places across the back-line has helped raise his game.

Okagbue has played 19 times for the Saddlers this term after re-joining on a permanent deal from Stoke City following his fruitful loan spell during the previous campaign. 

The 20-year-old, who received his first Republic of Ireland under-21 call-up last week, recently surpassed 50 appearances for the club. 

Club captain Donervon Daniels was recalled to the defence for his first competitive start of the season in Walsall's 1-1 draw against Crewe Alexandra in the absence of the injured Harry Williams.

Fellow Irishman Oisin McEntee is also yet to play a single minute since suffering a calf injury in late August but Okagbue insists that the competition for places has kept him firmly on his toes at Bescot.

He said: "Maybe knowing that they're ready to come in makes me want to play better to make sure that I keep my shirt. Everyone is fighting for the shirt and that's what you've got to do. 

"It's competition but it's healthy competition and we all help each other out. It's a really good group to work with. 

"Everyone stays in tune and everyone being involved in the sessions. We mix the teams up so that everyone's playing with each other and you have different partnerships at different times. 

"So everyone knows how each other plays and knows the system really well. As soon as someone else comes in, we just gel really quickly."