Youngster signed on loan from Boro yesterday...
Head coach Sean O’Driscoll believes new loan signing Bryn Morris has all the right attributes to be a useful addition to the Saddlers’ squad.The former England U19s captain joined Walsall on an initial two-month youth loan from Middlesbrough yesterday afternoon.
And O’Driscoll, who worked with Morris during his time as England U19s coach, is pleased to have the talented teenage midfielder on board.
“He’s a good player and I’m pleased we’ve brought him in on loan,” said O’Driscoll.
“I know him from my time with the FA so I have a knowledge of his character.
“Bryn probably wasn’t the most technically-gifted player in the Under-19s squad because we had some outstanding ones, but he was definitely the captain.
“He was the one who pulled it all together.
“It’s important to have that type of character so I think he’ll fit into the group really well as he’s cut from the same cloth as a lot of the players here.
“He’s adaptable, flexible and can play in numerous positions. For a young man, he’s a mature individual.”
Morris will be available for Tuesday’s League One match at Doncaster but is cup tied for tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth-round tie with Championship side Reading.
The Saddlers have beaten three second-tier sides already this season – Brentford in the FA Cup, and Nottingham Forest and Brighton in the League Cup.
But O’Driscoll is anticipating a challenging match against Brian McDermott’s “resilient” Royals.
“Championship teams are always difficult and this one especially,” he said.
“We’ve watched their last two games and they’ve been very resilient, which is a trait Championship teams tend to acquire because of the intensity of the division.
“Reading are no different. They’ve been in the top echelons of football and they’re desperate to get back there.
“Brian’s come back in and he’s trying to evolve the team into one that can compete at Championship level and get them back to where they were before.
“It’ll be a difficult game for us but we’d love to get into the fifth round.”
Isaiah Osbourne remains sidelined with a knee injury. The Saddlers no other injury concerns.