Callum Cockerill-Mollett happy to get a run at Walsall

The 20-year-old signed his first professional contract with the club in August 2016, making his senior debut in a 5-2 Checkatrade victory over Grimsby in the same month.

Injuries meant he was restricted to one senior appearance in the 2017/18 season before he was sent on loan to Telford and Chasetown last season.

This campaign, the Leicester-born defender has been in and out of the starting XI, but injuries to left-back Cameron Pring has meant Cockerill-Mollett has been handed his chance.

Praise has been thrown at the youngster from fans and manager Darrell Clarke after impressive displays in Walsall's last three matches.

And Cockerill-Mollett says a run of games is all he wanted as he bids to prove himself to those at the club.

“All I want to do is play games for this club," he said.

“The more games I get, the more chance I have of progressing and getting another contract to carry on.

“All I have to do is keep working hard, keep playing well and keep my place in the team.

“All I’ve ever wanted is a run of games and I’m starting to get that now.

“I feel like every game I’m progressing and playing better.

“And I get more confident - personally it’s good.

“The team is doing well too which is a bonus."

In the league win over Cambridge on Saturday, Walsall fielded Cockerill-Mollett alongside three other academy products, Liam Kinsella, Liam Roberts and Alfie Bates.

And Cockerill-Mollett says that the historic set-up of the club, giving youngsters a chance, is coming good.

“That’s the philosophy of the club, it always has been since I’ve been here," he added.

“I’ve been here for five years now.

“It’s always been youngsters getting chances.

“Then moving them on after that, but I want to do well for this club and progress myself.

“Hopefully get us to the top of the table."