‘First-class’ Stuart Sinclair steps up to coach Walsall players

Since Brian Dutton took over as manager he has had to work with limited staff, with only Mat Sadler and Maik Taylor alongside him, as well as the fitness and physio personnel.

Due to injuries Sadler has had to play consistently too, leaving Dutton with few sounding boards on the sidelines.

For the last couple weeks Sinclair has been adding his expertise to the mix on the training ground and the 33-year-old is honoured to get the call up and help the club's growing list of exciting young talents.

Sinclair said: "It's an honour that the gaffer has allowed me to do that, it's nice of him.

"I want to try and do everything I can to help them, so we go through things and work on angles.

"I wouldn't say I'm a super technical kind of player, but I've analysed the game quite a lot to try and get to the highest level I can.

"By me analysing the game and self-evaluating, hopefully I can take that and help the younger players work on their angles and how they receive the ball.

"What pockets of space they might be able to pick up when the ball is in certain positions.

"Hopefully that will help and progress them and in turn help the football club."

When Sinclair has played he has impressed this season, but perhaps more important has been his vocal instructions from the bench.

The midfielder has helped talk Sam Perry and Alfie Bates though difficult moments during games and Dutton insists that support is essential.

Dutton said: "Positive body language and being a good team-mate, is so, so important. It's vital.

"It's no good having 11 inexperienced, talented boys on the pitch if there's not someone out there to organise them and drive them on.

"Stuart Sinclair does that with 110 per cent conviction, just like James Clarke and Mat Sadler.

"These experienced boys run the game with their mouth and that's what you need, especially when your back's against the wall.

"You wouldn't find a better one than Stuart Sinclair. He has a heart of gold and only wants good things for Walsall and the players, especially the young lads.

"He's done a lot of work recently with the young boys and doing some extra coaching with them. That's massive. He's first class."