Walsall sign Sheffield United's James Wilson on loan

The 28-year-old becomes Saddlers boss Jon Whitney’s fifth signing of the summer.

Experienced Wilson made seven appearances in League One for the title-winning Blades last season, having joined 12 months ago from Oldham.

Now well down the pecking order following the arrival of Richard Stearman at Bramall Lane, he is heading to the Banks's keen to kick-start his career.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

“I want to get some games in and this definitely seems like a great place to do that."

He continued: “I like to get on the ball as much as defenders can.

“My movement is quite good around the pitch so I like to cover people, to look after people.

“It’s going to be a tough league this year, more so than last year."

Whitney had been eager to add more experience to Walsall’s backline and Wilson, who earned one senior cap for Wales in 2013, would appear to fit the bill.

An athletic centre-half, he made more 100 appearances during a two-and-a-half year stay at Oldham and has also enjoyed a spell at Brentford having begun his career at Bristol City.

Whitney should receive a further boost with youth team product Matt Preston expected to agree a new deal later this week, while the manager is also keen to add another striker should his budget allow.