Smith wants to add more players...
SADDLERS manager, Dean Smith, remains hopeful of bringing in some fresh faces before the summer transfer window closes on Tuesday (6.00pm).Walsall have made three signings so far this summer – Jason Demetriou (from AEK Larnaca), Neil Etheridge (Charlton) and Milan Lalkovic (Barnsley).
And with just four days of the window remaining, the boss is still looking for new acquisitions.
“We’re still trying to get a couple in and that’s been the case since the end of last season,” said Smith.
“I had an idea then of where we needed to strengthen, and I still believe we need to do that.
“I’ve said before that I’d rather get permanent signings in. The longer you go (in the window), the harder that gets, but there are a number of players who haven’t got clubs at the moment.
“We also know that a week after the window closes, the emergency loan system opens again. So, in an emergency, I can go and get somebody. But ideally, I can get permanent ones in.”
Two of Smith’s summer additions – Demetriou and Etheridge – received international call-ups yesterday afternoon, and are set to miss our upcoming matches against Morecambe (JPT) and Bury.
Demetriou will link-up with Cyprus for their European Championship qualifiers against Wales and Belgium.
Etheridge, meanwhile, is in the Philippines squad for their double-header against Uzbekistan and the Maldvies in World Cup qualifying.
“I’m really pleased for them,” said Smith.
“Jason’s got two really tough games against two of the strongest teams in Europe right now, in Wales and Belgium.
“They’re really tough games but he’ll be looking forward to them; it’ll be a great experience for him.
“Neil’s going off around the world to play the Maldives and Uzbekistan, which is a little bit different to Jason.
“It’s great that they can both play for their countries.”