An early Christmas present for the team today with the news that Manchester United youngster Paul McShane has joined the Saddlers on loan for a month. The 18-year-old, who can play as a centre-back or a right-back, has been a regular in the United reserve team, and cancelled plans to travel to Ireland for Christmas to join Merson’s men at Bescot.

With Julian Bennett missing the Boxing Day clash with Wednesday due to suspension, McShane could be thrown straight into the first team. The deal provides an answer to the disquiet voiced by a number of Walsall fans over the apparent lack of any real benefits to the tie-up between United and Walsall announced with a big fanfare last year.