Walsall boss Darrell Clarke was pleased to bring in two more players who have had a taste of Sky Bet League Two football before tomorrow’s trip to Port Vale.
Striker Jayden Reid and midfielder Frank Vincent both arrived on loan from Birmingham City and Bournemouth respectively earlier this week to bolster the Saddlers squad.
Clarke believes the new additions will bring freshness to the squad and was pleased with the business he has done this week.
"Jayden is local at Birmingham and he's experienced some games in League Two already this season at Barrow,” said Clarke.
"To pick up a loan that has a bit of League Two experience, with the market we're in, was a good bit of business.
"He gives us some competition for places up top.
"In an ideal world, and we're not living in an ideal world, we'd have looked at this window to strengthen with more experience and have a good go.
"To get one or two favours from bigger clubs, we're very appreciative of that, and we'll try and help one or two of their younger players get some experience behind them.
"They come in as good squad players to give me different options.
"Frank is the same, he had a loan at Scunthorpe cut short by injury, but another one that has had League Two experience.
"It gives the squad a bit of freshness with new lads coming in.
"We're still very young, we're the fourth or fifth youngest team in the league.
"Whenever I bring a loan in, I try and get loans that could potentially be something for the future.
"There's always an eye that maybe there might be an option further down the line.
"Loans are hit and miss. In 10 years as a manager, I've hit on a few and missed on a hell of a lot more.
"They're always a bit of a gamble. Harry Kane is one of the world's greatest strikers and he had four or five loans.
"It can be hit and miss but I like to bring in loans that might help us in the future as well.”
The Saddlers will make the short trip up to Staffordshire to face Port Vale tomorrow, looking to complete the double over the Valiants.
It was a thrilling 4-3 victory for the Saddlers in the reverse fixture last month and Clarke is expecting another close game.
"It was a great game a few weeks ago when we had a tremendous comeback against them.
"Like all teams in this division, you can see the closeness of the games. The compactness of the league. There's not a lot in the games.
"I expect Saturday to be no different.”
You can watch tomorrow’s game live on iFollow by purchasing a match pass here.