Jon Whitney: I have to give Walsall players a chance to shine

The winger, snapped up on loan from West Midlands rivals Wolves, has made just two substitute appearances since moving to the Banks’s Stadium in January.

Despite his lack of playing time, Randall has regularly been named on the subs bench over the past few months.

But the 19-year-old was left out for the trip to Valley Parade in favour of second-year scholar Tobias Hayles-Docherty.

And Whitney feels he must prioritise his own young players with just six games of the League One season remaining.

“Things have worked against Will a little bit because he is a winger but we have flipped to three at the back and it has worked really well,” the boss said.

“I have been honest with Will and I have been honest with Wolves. It is nothing negative against Will but I have to give my players the chance to shine off the bench.

“Will is still our player but he will get some game time for Wolves under-23s over the next few weeks because he needs minutes.

“He can play at wing-back but he is competing against Joe (Edwards) there who doesn’t miss any games.

“And out wide his is competing against a young winger in Tobias who is my player.

“I have to think about the future and I have to try and blood these kids now and give them the experience of playing first-team football and in front of large crowds.”

Whitney confirmed he has told Randall he is unlikely to feature for the Saddlers again this season.

“I’ve told him it’s unlikely he will get any more minutes here,” he continued.

“You never know in football. Things can always turn around very quickly.

“But I think you have to be honest with players and I wanted to make sure he could get games for Wolves under-23s.”

Meanwhile, Whitney revealed Amadou Bakayoko missed the trip to Valley Parade with a minor groin injury.

“It’s was only a slight groin injury,” the boss added. “He had a fitness test on Thursday but wasn’t quite right.”