Saddlers defender Callum Cockerill-Mollett has his eyes firmly set on a season in Darrell Clarke’s first team.
The 20-year-old will link up with the squad for pre-season training next week and the full-back, who had loan spells at Chasetown and Telford last season, is hoping to make a good first impression with the new gaffer.
Cockerill-Mollett feels his loan spells have benefitted him greatly and that he is ready to make the step up into Clarke’s team.
“I had a phone call off him when the released and retained list was announced and he wants me to be in and around the first team this season because he likes to work with a small group of players,” said Cockerill-Mollett.
“That’s a good thing for me because I have been on the outskirts of the team for the past few seasons and I want to be in and around the first team next season, if not starting every game.
“I have been in and around the first team for the past few seasons and I feel as though my experiences from last season out on loan in men’s football has helped me believe in myself more.
“It has given me the confidence and belief to go into pre-season and to try and earn that left-back spot for the first game of the season.
“I think the loan spells have really helped me because I feel as though they gave me that extra edge.
“I want to go out and I want to be a first-team player. When I was constantly playing for Chasetown, I was really part of the squad and I was part of something every week and that is what I want here at Walsall.
“I want to be the first choice left-back.”