Brian Dutton: Walsall had to let Frank Vincent go

The 22-year-old, who joined in January from Bournemouth, started the first three games under Dutton as manager but quickly fell out of favour.

This week his loan at the Banks’s Stadium was cut short and Dutton believes it would have been ‘selfish’ to keep him at the club but not involve him in the squad.

He said: “We’re at a stage where the guys that haven’t had opportunities and minutes, it’s fair that if they’re not going to have a future with Walsall that we give them the opportunity to go and make a career for themselves somewhere else.

“Frank Vincent falls into that category. He’s a great guy and a fantastic trainer, someone who has been a consummate professional.

“It would be selfish of me to keep him around the building until the end of the season when he’s not going to get the game time required for him to get a career somewhere.

“I felt I owed it a little bit to Frank that I allowed him to seek another football club and give him the opportunity to stay a professional footballer.

“We thank him and wish him well.”

When asked if Vincent’s lack of minutes was due to Sam Perry’s emergence in the first team, Dutton added: “Yes, in a nutshell. There’s more to it than that but for sure guys in behind waiting for an opportunity would have had more if it wasn’t for the emergence of Sam Perry.

“He’s just taken off and shown he can handle the level and back-to-back games.

“Unfortunately for the guys waiting behind him it’s become a long wait because of his talent and mentality.

“We have to create a pathway for our guys as well and it’s important that Walsall players get given an opportunity.

“We want that Black Country accent echoing around the Banks’s Stadium.”

Perry has been somewhat of a revelation in midfield with some sublime performances since coming into the side and the 19-year-old is eager for more.

When asked if he is surprised at how well he has done, he said: “Yes, but this is only the start.

“I have to keep going and keep pushing. I need to become better and stronger.

“That’s what I need to work on, getting stronger, it will help my game a lot.

“I’m working on different things every day to become better on the pitch.

“The gaffer works with me every day, which has helped me.

“Since he came in, and even before when he was assistant, he’s brought me a long way to be honest.

“He’s been there on the training pitch every day when I needed him.”

Perry signed a new deal for an undisclosed length this month and believes Walsall is the right place for him to be.

He added: “It’s been a crazy couple of months.

“From getting my debut, scoring my first goal to getting a new deal over the line as well.

“All along I knew the gaffer had his trust in me and I got offered the new deal and I got it signed because I know I’m on the right path.

“The gaffer is helping me a lot and it’s good to have his trust in me.

“The gaffer puts his trust into the young players so being here is great for me and it’s the best place for me to develop.”