Amadou Bakayoko determined to prove he's Walsall worthy

The striker, 20, first joined the club as a 16-year-old but had to wait until the current campaign to really make his mark on the first team.

Bakayko was awarded his first senior start against Grimsby in the Checkatrade Trophy - an occassion he marked with a stunning hat-trick in a 5-2 win.

The youngster followed that up with another goal as Walsall secured victory at Sheffield United in their second game in the competition. And following a number of impressive cameo's in League One, Bakayoko admits he is pleased with his start to the season.

"I'm very pleased with the way it is going," he said. "I just want to get as many games as possible, score goals and hopefully help the team get up.

"That is the main thing, that is what we are all striving for.

"I feel I have to take my chance every time I play. I want to show the fans, the gaffer and all the staff that I am capable of delivering on a regular basis.

"I have been here a long time and because I wasn't playing I did get frustrated with myself. It's my fourth year and the time had come for me to start to perform.

"I'm very grateful to the club because they have stuck by me. A lot of players have come and gone but I am still here."

Bakayoko revealed Walsall's senior players are always on hand to offer him guidance.

"I speak to Simeon (Jackson) quite a lot who always tells me stories," the striker continued.

"Scott Laird, James O'Connor, Adam Chambers. I speak to all those guys regularly.

"They tell me the right things. I have great respect for all of them.

"They are not in my position but I see they believe in me and they tell me to go out an express myself.

"Sometimes I feel I have lacked belief, but I like being around them – although I haven't told them that!"