Dean Keates: Walsall closing in on several deals

The Saddlers kick-off the 2018/19 campaign a week on Saturday when Plymouth visit the Banks’s Stadium.

As it stands, Keates’ squad is currently light on numbers with Jon Guthrie the only senior centre-back fit and available.

But speaking at a fan focus meeting last night, Keates revealed he has players lined up in defence, midfield and attack – with the boss also having earmarked a number of loans if those deals fall through.

“I want there to be a minimum of three additions but I’m hopeful of four,” the boss said.

“The centre-half needs addressing, it will be addressed in the next few days.

“I will be looking at centre mid(field) over the coming days and also a central striker. I’m not going to add for the sake it. Have we got enough strength in depth? No.

“I want to sign our own players but if that doesn’t happen I’ve got some more than capable loans – good under-23 players who are pushing for a place in the first team at their clubs.

“But ideally I’d like to bring in our own players.”

Keates named five trialists in the squad that impressed in a 2-0 victory over Ajax last week.

But he said only two are now training with the club, both of whom are defenders.

And that means Cypriot forward Michalis Giorkatzis, who first joined up with the Saddlers at the start of pre-season training, is no longer with the club.

“There are two lads left here from the trialists who played against Ajax,” Keates continued.

“Both have played at centre-back. We will continue to look at them and decide if they will be involved in the friendly against Cheltenham on Saturday.”

While Keates says the signing of a centre-back is a priority, he believes it won’t take a new arrival long to fit into his style of play.

“I think, centre-half wise, it’s a bit easier to slip into a team than if you are a winger or striker,” he added.

“You just drop them straight in and they know their responsibilities.

“But defending isn’t just about defenders. It’s the whole team.

“The compactness of the team has been progressive over the friendlies.

"We kept our shape better against Villa than we did against Stoke and better again against Ajax. We are starting to look a more organised unit.”

Meanwhile, Walsall have sold 2,238 season tickets for next season, the Express & Star can confirm.

The Saddlers ended the 2017/18 campaign with 2,488 season ticket holders. That figures included those who bought half season tickets midway through the campaign.