Keates optimistic of Saddlers additions

The Saddlers head to Priestfield Stadium on Saturday desperate to end a run that has seen them go seven games without a win.

With the squad light on numbers, Keates knows he needs to make a number of additions this month.

And when asked about signings he refused to rule out additions ahead of the trip to Kent.

“We are optimistic,” Keates said.

“There are loads of phone calls going on. We are in constant conversation with agents and with football clubs.

“It’s trying to get the right ones in but we are optimistic we will have someone in for the weekend.

“We are on it, we know we need to get some bodies into the squad to freshen it up.

“All being well, something will happen before the weekend.”

Keates has signed Matt Jarvis and Omar Mussa this month – with the latter joining after impressing on trial.

And the boss confirmed he has invited some other players to train with Walsall this month.

“We have got one or two trialists in that we are having a look at,” the boss continued.

“They are out of contract players. So we can do something with them at a drop of a hat so to speak.

“Omar we had in for a few weeks to monitor him and see how he developed.”

Keates admits both he and Walsall’s players are going through a tough time due to their poor run of form.

But he said everyone at the club is working hard to put things right.

“It’s hard but ultimately I am at the focal point of it all so I can’t show too much emotion,” he added.

“One minute you are angry, the next minute you are up, the next minute you are down. But I am at the focal point of it all.

“I have to be in control of my emotions. We have to look back as a team and learn from the games.

“And I have to reflect on myself, have I made the right decisions?

“It’s hard to control your emotions when you are seeing the same mistakes happen again and again.

“But the players are an honest and we will all keep working hard to improve.”