Walsall's Jamie Paterson wants to be let loose by Saddlers boss Dean Smith

Walsall striker Jamie Paterson today pleaded with manager Dean Smith to unleash him and insisted he is hell-bent on lasting the pace.

The Saddlers attacker is eying FA Cup progress in tonight's second-round replay with Dagenham & Redbridge and wants to be let loose.

Paterson returned for Saturday's 1-1 draw with League One leaders Charlton after being left out for bruising outings against Stevenage and the original Dagenham tie.

And, ahead of the Banks's replay, the 19-year-old admitted he is desperate to play.

He said: "The more I play the more confident I get. I'm back in now so hopefully I can keep my spot and kick on in the next couple of games.

"I want to play every game but with my age I've got to take things as they come, play when the gaffer tells me to and hopefully put in good performances.

"Stevenage and Dagenham weren't games where we were going to play a passing game, they were hustle and bustle.

"I think I could have played but the gaffer thought otherwise so I respect his opinion and I played against Charlton so I was happy."

Saturday's point continued the Saddlers' impressive displays against the top teams after beating Preston, drawing at Huddersfield and scaring Milton Keynes Dons and Sheffield United.

But Paterson admitted they must shine against the Daggers – bottom of the Football League – too.

He said: "We say it to each other, 'how come we do well against the big teams and not the others?'

"But sometimes the top teams come here and think they won't get a hard game and are shocked when we come at them.

"We needed a quick start as we couldn't sit back and let the team at the top of the league come after us. It would have caused trouble.

"We've got a team who can play but sometimes we don't show it."