Zak Jules is determined to stay with Walsall
Walsall defender Zak Jules has insisted his future remains with the club despite his limited minutes in recent months.
The 22-year-old centre-back began the season as a regular in the first team and had a successful spell at left-back in September after an injury to Cameron Pring.
But after being withdrawn after 22 minutes in the 2-2 draw with Darlington on November 9, the defender has been used sparsely – but Jules is adamant that he wants to stay with the club.
“100 per cent (my future is with the club),” he said. “I’m a Walsall player, I have no plans of going anywhere. It hasn’t even crossed my mind.
“I just feel that I’ve got to keep on pushing on and putting pressure on the boys that are playing now.
“I’ve signed here long-term anyway, I’m now based here locally. So no, I want to play for Walsall Football Club, I want to give my all for the shirt and that’s the end of it really.”
Jules was left out of several squads following the Darlington fixture, but he has recently made substitute appearances against Carlisle and Salford and made his latest start in the 2-1 EFL Trophy loss to Portsmouth on Tuesday.
And the summer signing is now focusing on forcing his way into the Walsall side.
“I just want to be out playing football,” he added.
“Unfortunately I’m not the one that decides that but when I am given that opportunity it’s down to me to go out there and give my own.
“Show the coaching staff, my team-mates and also the fans, who have been brilliant with me from day one, what I can do.
“It’s been a little while, it did catch up on me.
“It was quite tough fitness wise but I feel like I left everything out on that pitch.
“That’s all I can do.
“It’s frustrating for every footballer, any footballer out there that is not playing.
“You want to be out there, you want to be playing regularly.
“As I said, the manager picks the team.
“Whether I feel it’s right or wrong, I just have to go into training every day and put my all in.
“Show that I’m here and available when he needs me, and I’ve done that.
“It’s been a long wait but I’ve got my opportunity and it’s down to be show what I can do.
“Hopefully I’ve done enough to put my face in his thoughts for the upcoming games.”
