George Dobson holds positive Walsall talks

The 19-year-old joined the Saddlers on loan from West Ham last summer and impressed in 26 appearances for the club.

Now back with the Hammers, Dobson expects to be sent out on loan again next year.

And that could see him return to the Banks’s Stadium after Whitney told the youngster he sees him as part of his plans.

“The manager (Whitney) said he would love to have me back and he said I had done really well,” Dobson said.

“I also said a lot of good things which is obviously good.

“I definitely feel like I’ve improved over the course of the season which is the most important thing.

“I’ve learned a lot from the loan, got quite a lot of appearances and I’ve developed as a player.

“The second half of the season I was involved a lot more.

“I worked hard just to try and impress the management to stay involved and get more involved. That hard work definitely paid off.”

Meanwhile, Cardiff boss Neil Warnock has revealed he tried to sign Saddlers keeper Neil Etheridge in January.

The Philippines international, who is out of contract this summer, has been offered a three-year deal to remain at the Banks’s. But the former Charlton glovesman is expected to move on with a host of Championship clubs believed to be keen on securing his signature.

And that could see Cardiff make a fresh move, after Warnock confirmed they initially enquired in January.

“We spoke to the club in January about Neil but I wasn’t prepared to pay the figure they wanted,” said Warnock.

“I’ll leave it to the goalkeeping coach – Andy Dibble looks at the goalkeepers and advises what he would do.”