Josh Gordon eager to seize his chance with Walsall

The 23-year-old, who was snapped up from Leicester earlier this month, has been restricted to substitute appearances in League One due to the impressive form of Andy Cook and Morgan Ferrier.

But Gordon was given a chance to show what he can do from the start in the Carabao Cup clash with Macclesfield on Tuesday.

And the former Stafford Rangers man responded by scoring in the tie, which the Saddlers ultimately lost on penalties. Now though the striker has vowed to keep working hard in order to prove himself to manager Dean Keates and Walsall’s fans.

“I knew what I needed to do going into the Macclesfield game,” Gordon said.

“My aim was to work hard, hopefully get a goal like I did and just show the fans what I am about and show the gaffer that I can do the job.

“When I get on the pitch I have to take my opportunities.

“The most important thing is the team and that we are doing well.

“But for me personally, when I get on the pitch I have just got to do what I did against Macclesfield, get some goals and some assists as well.”

Despite the campaign being just a month old, Gordon became the eighth different player to score for the Saddlers this season when he netted against the Silkmen.

But while the goals are coming from everywhere, the striker said work needs to be done to tighten up at the back – with the team yet to keep a clean sheet.

“It was nice to get the goal on my full debut,” Gordon continued,

“Hopefully there will be more to come. We are a team that is scoring lots of goals, everybody is getting goals which is great.

“But now the whole team needs to look at a few things defensively.

“From the forwards through to the defenders we all need to do our bit to cut out some of the goals we have been conceding.”

Gordon has only been a Saddlers player for a few weeks but he says he already feels settled at the club.

“It’s really good to be here,” he added.

“All the lads have welcomed me. Everyone is near enough the same age, so I have settled in really quickly.

“It is all about learning now and progressing as a player. And Dean (Kaetes) has been massive, as have the coaches and everyone behind the scenes, it has been really good.”