Walsall's Amadou Bakayoko: I can be the main man

The striker, who was crowned the Saddlers Young Player of the Season last weekend, has enjoyed an impressive breakthrough campaign that saw him net 10 goals in all competitions.

But despite that success, Bakayoko believes he is yet to reach his full potential.

And he is determined to work hard over the summer to ensure he hits the ground running next season.

“I was happy with my first full season but this is just the start,” the 21-year-old said.

“There is a lot more to come and I know there are plenty of areas I need to improve.

“It’s was a good season for me. The highlight personally was to get 10 goals. But there is still so much more from me to come.

“I am going to prepare myself well, work on the areas I need to work on and get ready for what is another big season.”

Bakayoko admitted he was thrilled to win the clubs Young Player of the Season award even if it did come as a shock to the forward.

“I was delighted to be honest,” he continued.

“I didn’t expect it. I thought Jason McCarthy was going to get it. But I was really happy.

“Now though I need to kick on. Over the past year I’ve become a lot more focused. I’m a little bit more experienced now.

“I want next season to be a great season. To do that I have to be doing the right things day in day out.”

Having been part of a Walsall squad that ended the 2016/17 campaign with just one win in their last 10 matches, Bakayoko said the team must turn that experience into a valuable learning curve.

“It wasn’t a good way to end the season,” he added.

“It was a disappointing end but we have got to move on from that now and get be ready to kick start the next season.

“I think we have let ourselves down. We needed that extra little push. It was a kick in the teeth but it’s done now.

“We have to go away for the summer and make sure we are prepared to be better next season.”

Meanwhile, Bakaoyko revealed he is expecting his first child over the summer.

"I've got a baby on the way so there are no holidays for me this summer," he added.

"It's all about looking after the baby and making sure I work hard so I can make a big impact next season."