Walsall boss Jon Whitney to assess trialists

Despite the season finishing just a few weeks ago, a host of Saddlers players are reporting to the club's Essington training base today to undergo extra sessions.

The coaching block, which will run into tomorrow, is mandatory for all players aged under 23.

But a host of older stars will also be attending with Whitney revealing they will be joined by a small group of trialists.

"We are in on Tuesday and Wednesday and we'll have a few trialists that agents have put my way," the boss said.

"They are all players that agents have got in touch with me about but it's a really good opportunity to have a look at them first hand.

"You want to meet them and talk to them face to face and it also gives me the chance to see them and how they fit into the group. "It's good for everyone. I get to see these players up close and they get a real opportunity to impress."

Whitney revealed Walsall will hold a number of training sessions throughout the summer to help the players stay in the best possible shape.

"A couple of weeks out of competition and all athletes start to go into what's known as detraining," Whitney said.

"This is to limit that."

"Myself and (coaches) John Ward and Neil Cutler will be in on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"The sessions are mandatory for the under 23s and optional for the older players.

"Mainly we will be working on some technical things.

"We'll be working with players individually to improve their development and then we will also do some technical work with groups of two or three.

"The plan is to be in every 10 days for two days so we will hold some more sessions at the end of may and in mid-June.

"The way the modern game is now it's important we maintain fitness levels and give the players the chance to do their individual work."