Jon Whitney: Justin Shaibu brings pace to Walsall

The striker was snapped up on loan from Brentford yesterday and will go straight into the squad for the Saddlers clash with Blackburn Rovers tonight.

Shaibu is a long-term target for Whitney with the player having received a glowing reference from former Walsall manager Dean Smith.

And Whitney is tipping the Denmark under-20 international to make a big impression at the Banks’s Stadium.

“We needed some reinforcements up top and it’s important that Justin came in,” the boss said.

“I spoke to Dean Smith about him in the last transfer window and he needs games now. They brought him in from Denmark in 2016 and they see him as having a very big future.

“He’s got raw pace and he gives us that threat up front.

“Dean obviously knows how we work here and that we can help to develop him between now and the end of the season.

“Justin will come in and give us that attacking threat.”

Whitney opted to add Shaibu to his ranks following the departures of former loanees Tyler Roberts, Daniel Agyei and Zeli Ismail earlier this month.

The boss has also confirmed he is keen on signing a centre-back before the transfer window closes tomorrow.

But it’s understood the Saddlers won’t be signing Preston defender Andy Boyle, who the Express & Star understands they had registered an interested in.

The Republic of Ireland international had been linked with a move to Walsall as well as League One rivals Wigan and Rotherham.

But it is now understood he has agreed terms on a move to Doncaster – with the transfer set to be announced later today.

It means Walsall face a frantic two days with Whitney still hoping to sign a winger as well as a centre-back.

“We have got interest in several players,” Whitney said when speaking on Friday.

“And we have had that interest with a couple of players registered for a few weeks now.

“But like always, things happen at the last minute.”