James O'Connor: Sky is the limit for Walsall youngster Amadou Bakayoko

The defender reckons the sky could be the limit for the 20-year-old hitman, if he can continue the form which has seen him force his way into the Saddlers first-team.

Bakayoko's winner in Tuesday's 1-0 victory at Sheffield United was his seventh in all competitions this term and the former academy star is starting to fulfil the potential which has long been apparent to team-mates at the Banks's.

"That is what we want from him, we want him to affect the opposition," said O'Connor. "Ama could be a monster of a player, he has all the physical attributes.

"We keep on saying it. Now it is all about when he gets his chances, can he take them? If he does then the sky really is the limit."

O'Connor, who at 32 is the second-eldest member of the Saddlers squad behind captain Adam Chambers, has compared the challenge facing Bakayoko to that of his defensive partner Matt Preston, another player who made his way through the club's youth ranks.

And he frequently reminds both the importance of making the most of their chances when they arrive.

"You don't want to get carried away but it is a short career, with limited opportunites, so you have to make the most of them when they arrive," O'Connor said.

"Competition is always there. Over the last two games Matt has been excellent and I have enjoyed playing with him again.

"Matt is in the same bracket as Amadou. You want to see him kick on and be a big player for us and see where it takes him."