Matty Fryatt training with Walsall

The 31-year-old, who is product of the Saddlers youth academy, became a huge fans favourite at the Banks’s Stadium after netting 30 goals in 78 appearances for the club between 2003 and 2006.

Fryatt is a free agent after leaving Nottingham Forest in the summer. But he hasn’t made a first team appearance since March 2015 after seeing his career stall with an Achilles problem.

Back in June it was revealed Fryatt was close to agreeing terms on a move to Burton Albion –with the forward playing for the Brewers during pre-season.

But with the striker still five or six weeks away from full fitness, he has opted to team up with boss Jon Whitney to work on his strength ahead of the new campaign.

“We have got Matty Fryatt training with us at the moment,” Whitney said.

“He has come in and trained with us this week. I have kept in touch with Matty over the summer and I have always been quite close with him.

“I have kept tabs on his career. He has had an incredible career. But for me his career can still go on. He can still achieve lots of things.

“There is a connection there. His affinity with the club is strong. He likes the environment and the way we do things. He enjoys the group and the team ethos.

“He just wants to have a nice vibrant place to get his fitness levels back and then get out onto the pitch.

“He is a player we are considering. But he we need to get him back fit and get him enjoying his football again.”

While admitting he would love to have a fully-fit Fryatt as part of his squad, Whitney stressed there is a long way to go before any deal could be agreed.

“We all know he has got incredible ability but he has missed a lot of football,” the boss added.

“We need to work on that. It was the same in the past when Adam Chambers came to the football club.

“But he now plays 45/50 games a year. I have got history of helping players get back playing.

“At the moment we are working on his strength and we will see what happens. There are no guarantees.

“But because I have got a good friendship with Matty I felt it was something worth exploring.”