Scout Gary Jenkins ‘has a vital role to play’ at Walsall

Saddlers have operated without an official team of scouts in recent years, something Keates has vowed to address after taking over as manager.

As well as calling on the support of a host of former Walsall players, the boss recently confirmed he has hired Jenkins as his chief talent-spotter.

And Keates says he has an important role to play at the club.

“Gary has worked a lot in non-league, he then got an opportunity at Crewe and then he left them to work for Blackpool,” the boss said.

“I’ve seen him out and about many times.

“When I got the job here, I saw him at a lot of League One games.

“Bringing him in is something we needed to do.

“He is Oldbury-based. He knows what the football club is about and what it means to the town and the area.

“And he is eager, enthusiastic and wants to learn.

“For what we want to do going forward, he will play a massive part.

“He’s out all the time watching games and now it’s just a case of us all working to a routine, getting some structure and all pulling together for the good of the football club.”

Meanwhile, Keates is expecting his players to return to the club in good shape when they report back for pre-season training next week.

The squad are due in for their first session a week tomorrow.

“They have all been working to their programmes over the summer,” Keates added.

“I’m not expecting any of them to come back – like they did in my day – and be a stone overweight.

“They have always been an honest bunch.

“Throughout my time at the club they have always worked hard and looked after themselves.”