Boss' challenge to Walsall starlets

Walsall manager Dean Smith has thrown down the gauntlet to Jake Jones and Connor Deards after handing the youngsters professional deals.

The duo have been offered contracts for next season after impressing in the reserve and youth teams.

Striker Deards has hit 19 goals in 19 Youth Alliance starts and 24 in all competitions while winger Jones has grabbed 15.

And Smith, the club's ex-head of youth, believes the pair are worthy of their new deals.

He said: "I am looking forward to see what they can offer to us. Both players have worked really hard and developed well over the past two years. They fully deserve to be awarded professional contracts.

"Jake is a wide left player who can beat players easily and has excellent ball control. He also has a good attitude, which will stand him in good stead.

"Connor is a natural finisher with great physical ability. He has been sharp in front of goal this season and has made good progress."

Deards smashed four goals in the youth team's opening day 7-0 rout of Stockport in August and also scored trebles in the 4-0 win over Shrewsbury in January and a 3-2 Midland Youth Cup victory at Port Vale.

Jones netted in Walsall's 3-1 FA Youth Cup defeat at Millwall and, most recently, in the 2-2 with Wigan this month.

The pair could play in the youth team's final fixture of the season on Saturday when the Saddlers host Accrington Stanley at Ray Hall Lane, Great Barr.