Walsall defender Rico Browne told to be "proud" after impressing on his debut

Browne, who arrived as a free agent in September, was handed his Walsall bow after returning from his one-month loan spell at Tamworth earlier this week. 

The defender made five appearances for the Lambs and starred in their famous 1-0 success over Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup first round.

The 20-year-old played a key role in the build-up to George Hall's delightful chipped finish which doubled Walsall's lead. 

Reyes Cleary and Nathan Lowe had scored either side of that to help Walsall progress as group leaders in the EFL Trophy. 

And Byfield has been pleased with Browne's work ethic since arriving and feels he has benefitted from his experience at Tamworth. 

"The loan helped him massively. He came in and didn't really get that many minutes beforehand. 

"He came in and trained so well hence the reason why we wanted him here. He has done superb at Tamworth, played really well. 

"We've watched the games back, sat with him and gone through them with myself, Gaz (Gary Waddock) and the gaffer. 

"He took it out there tonight (Tuesday against Shrewsbury) and played against League One opposition again. 

"Rico did himself proud because we're watching him thinking he's so good with his one-v-one defending. 

"It's more competition isn't it and I think the boys know that they've got to keep fighting because they don't want to come out of the team."