Anthony Gerrard has given an interview to the Express and Star today, which turns out to be good news and bad news.

He says he has really enjoyed his time here and is intending to go back to Everton for talks with David Moyes about his future. The paper (not Gerrard) says there is every indication that Everton will be willing to release the centre back this summer, despite his impressive performances for Walsall.

The sting in the tail, however, comes from Gerrard. He says he would consider an offer from the Saddlers seriously, but that there are other clubs interested. None of them have made a concrete offer as yet, but Walsall fans will be hoping that there is no one “sniffing around” with the spending power to outbid us.

Paul Merson has increased his squad today, by signing on one year contracts Taiwo Atieno and Lee Vaughan.

Atieno, an old fashioned sort of centre forward, is 19 and a product of the club youth set up. He has progressed considerably this season following loan spells at Rochdale and Chester City.

Lee Vaughan is a former Birmingham and Pompey youngster. The 18 year old is a “tough tackling” full back, able to play on either flank. He originally signed on a contract until the end of this season, on trial.

Meanwhile, the club have decided to say goodbye to David Perpetuini. The ex Gillingham full back arrived just before transfer deadline day and played a big part in the Saddlers’ good run at the end of the season. He refused a contract offer before the Stockport game, however, and Merson refused to play him, saying he wasn’t “running a pet shop for players to put themselves in the window”. The excellent performance of Perpetuini’s replacement on the day, youngster Jon Harkness, was probably a clincher in letting him go.