Walsall's Russell Martin wants to keep playing

The former Scotland international joined the Saddlers last month as a player-coach, with the 32-year-old good friends with manager Dean Keates.

Martin said the opportunity to join Keates’ coaching staff was a big reason why he opted to move to the Banks’s Stadium.

But he says he isn’t ready to hang up his boots just yet.

“Ultimately I want to keep playing for the next two or three years,” the former Norwich man said.

“I still feel I have got a lot of playing left in my legs.

“But to be on the other side of it as well and gain some experience is great for me.

“Hopefully I will be a bit of a link between the players and the manager.

“The aim is to make an impact on the pitch as well as off it. If I can do both and add value that will be great.”

Martin, who is currently studying for his pro-licence, has always hoped go into management one day.

“I have wanted to do if from a very early age,” he continued.

“It’s always been part of the plan. That’s why I’ve got most of my coaching badges.

“I have got my pro licence to tick off now – I’m currently on the LMA diploma in football management at the minute. I’ve done my A licence.

“I didn’t want to get to the end of my playing career and think ‘oh no, what am I going to do now?’

“I have got a real desire to help people, improve people.

“And I’ve got a real idea about how football should be played – it’s very similar to the manager’s here.

“So hopefully I can help him and the coaching staff here and they will help me.

“He (Keates) has only been here a short period of time but he’s done a really good job and I love how he does it.”