The news everyone is waiting for is that Leeds’ on loan striker Julian Joachim is going to sign for the Saddlers. Well, it’s not him!

Club Call are reporting that Leeds are about to release former Walsall, Bolton and Middlesborough striker Michael Ricketts and that Paul Merson is interested in bringing the one time England International back to Bescot.

Ricketts was never a popular figure amongst Walsall supporters and it is difficult to guess how this piece of news will be received, should it prove to be true. Ricketts, however, should he get himself back on track, would certainly be a devastating performer at this level and may be the answer Merson is looking for to the now near certain non appearance of South African International Toni Nhleko, as they are very similar players.

This close season may yet get very interesting!

Walsall have signed a three-year deal with ‘Just Sport Pro Club’, a County Durham-based company who will be supplying Walsall Football Club’s playing strip and a wide range of Nike clothing, just as had been widely leaked on the board.

Roy Whalley said on the official site “This is great news for Walsall Football Club and our supporters. For a number of years Saddlers supporters have been asking the club to secure a fashionable brand as kit manufacturers; and they do not come much bigger than the famous Nike ’swoosh’, which is recognised throughout the World.
Just Sport Pro Club are an authorised distributor of Nike and this deal puts us in the Premier League in terms of the replica kits and leisurewear we will have on offer. We feel certain that this agreement will be welcomed by all our supporters and, as a club, we are proud to have the Nike ’swoosh’ worn next to the Walsall FC badge.”

The new kit will be shown on the official site later today and will be on sale at both Bescot Stadium and The Football Shop on Thursday. The change strip should go on sale in early July and both kits will be modelled before Saturday’s match.