Dean Keates hoping to bring in more players at Walsall
Walsall boss Dean Keates is hopeful of adding to his squad in the coming days after admitting it needs both quality and experience.
The Saddlers kick-off the 2018/19 campaign in less than three weeks with supporters anxious at the lack of players Keates has at his disposal.
Defence is a particular concern with Jon Guthrie the only senior centre-back currently available after Kory Roberts suffered a double leg break on Saturday.
But Keates is hopeful Walsall will get some deals completed in the next few days.
“You can see that we need a bit more experience and a few more bodies and hopefully we can address that over the next few days and into next week,” he said.
“All being well we can bring the right people in and add a bit more quality and experience to the group.
“We have got a couple of offers out there. And at our level, clubs are starting to get more power back.
“There have been players who have been on a lot more money than we can offer thinking they are going to get something.
“But they have been sat at home for the start of pre-season and that has opened up an avenue for us.
“All being well we will know a little bit more in the next 48 hours. Fingers crossed one or two will fall into place.”
Walsall slipped to a 4-1 friendly defeat against Villa last night with a Conor Hourihane hat-trick inspiring Steve Bruce’s side to victory.
But despite the result Keates was pleased with elements of the performance.
“It was a good workout for us,” the boss added.
“You are playing against good players so you know you aren’t going to get the ball all the time.
“It’s about getting the shape right for us. Against Stoke we left too many gaps, we got spilt a lot times.
“But I was a lot more pleased with the shape against Villa but disappointed with the score line.”
