Walsall's Dean Keates pleased with Josh Gordon

The 23-year-old is adjusting to playing men’s football after being snapped up from Leicester under-23s in the summer.

Gordon has found the target in cup games against Macclesfield and Burton. He also impressed on his first league start on Saturday when he was deployed on the right of midfield at Barnsley.

And Keates is pleased with the forward who he believes still has lots of room to develop.

“Josh has had to be patient but he’s done really well – he has shown what he is about,” the boss said.

“I keep telling him to get in the middle of the goals and he has scored two strikers goals, both of them were four yards out.

“He has a lot of energy. But sometimes you have to curb the enthusiasm even though he wants to work.

“It’s about working clever. I don’t want him burning all his energy by just running around.

“I spoke to him after the Macclesfield game about curbing that enthusiasm a little bit.

"It’s not a bad thing when you are telling someone to stop doing so much, he just has to be a bit smarter. But he’s eager to impress.”

Meanwhile, Keates says he is happy to listen to offers if any clubs are interested in taking some of his younger players on loan.

The Saddlers have sent goalkeeper Joe Slinn to Rushall Olympic while defender Dan Vann has joined Matlock on a temporary basis.

But with other youngsters on the fringes of the squad, Keates would be happy to let them go out and get some experience.

“There are a few lads who haven’t had a lot of minutes since pre-season,” the boss added.

“They need to go out and get some experience. It’s working well for Joe Slinn and Dan Vann who has gone out to get some games.

“If a club comes in for one of our players then I will have a conversation with that player to see if the move is right for all parties.”