Dean Smith expecting a tough League One

The Saddlers chief will be keen to improve on last season's 14th-placed finish when the English third tier gets under way again in August.

But a number of big names – Blackpool, Millwall and Wigan Athletic – have joined the fray after suffering relegation from the Championship.

Sheffield United are also expected to challenge, following the arrival of new manager Nigel Adkins earlier this month.

And Smith said: "I think it's as even a league as it's been for while. "We had Wolves in the division a couple of seasons ago and they are now gone.

"Preston have also gone but there are still big clubs likes Sheffield United, Coventry and Wigan. "Under Nigel Adkins I expect Sheffield United will be a force this season.

"Then you look at the clubs that have come down. Who knows what is going to happen with Blackpool?

"Millwall are an established Championship team but they have a newbie manager with Neil Harris in charge so they will be an unknown quantity.

"Wigan still have parachute payments from the Premier League so financially they will be stronger than everyone else.

"But again they have an unproven manager in Gary Caldwell who perhaps doesn't know this league as well as the others.

"It's going to be really interesting to see what happens. I'm excited and really looking forward to it."

Smith is hoping to bolster his squad with some new additions, and revealed he is closing in on the signing of a new goalkeeper and striker.

A goalkeeper has been high up on Walsall's priority list after Richard O'Donnell opted to move to Wigan.

A new forward is also being targeted, to help boost an attack which netted a modest 50 league goals last season.