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Walsall boss Darrell Clarke is looking to strike another deal

Boss Darrell Clarke believes he is just a striker away from completing Walsall’s summer transfer business.

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Darrell Clarke

The 41-year-old yesterday bolstered his ranks by bringing in three more players – meaning the Saddlers have now made 14 additions during the transfer window.

Winger Rory Holden has been snapped up on a season-long loan from Bristol City.

Defender Zak Jules arrived after Walsall agreed an undisclosed fee with League Two rivals Macclesfield.

And the experienced Gary Liddle was brought into to provide competition both in defence and midfield.

But with Josh Gordon, Elijah Adebayo and Morgan Ferrier the only strikers on the books with first-team experience, Clarke admits he needs another frontman.

“It’s just one more centre forward I need now,” the boss said.

“That will give me a healthy squad that is flexible within formations and has a good mix of experience and ages.”

Having signed James Clarke, Mat Sadler, Stuart Sinclair and Danny Guthrie earlier in the window, Clarke believes the arrival of Liddle means he now has enough experience to be successful in League Two.

“Lids is very experienced and is my fifth and final experienced player that I wanted to bring into the club,” he said.

“He can play multiple positions: right side of a centre-half three; central of a centre-half three; and as a sitting, deep-lying midfielder.

“He’s a great passer of the ball and a model pro.

“We’re really pleased to add him to Guthrie, Sinclair, Sadler and James Clarke – my five leaders in the group.”

Holden arrives having spent the past few weeks on trial on trial with the Saddlers.

“Rory is a left-footed wide player and that’s his best position in a 4-3-3, coming inside onto his left foot,” Clarke continued.

“We’ve worked with him now for a couple of weeks and had a good look at him.

“His attitude has been spot on. He gives me different options.”

On the addition of Jules, Clarke said: “He did very well at the back end of last season and is a young player we want to develop.

“He’s a left-sided centre-half, pacey, quick, mobile. I’m really pleased to bring him in and I think we’ve got the balance now.”

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