The reason for the delay in Matt Fryatt signing the contract extension he had been offered in the closed season was revealed today, as he put pen to a one year deal, rather than the two years he had been offered originally.

The England Under 19 star striker, already the Saddlers’ leading scorer this season, had been the subject of intense speculation as to his future leading up to the transfer deadline, but this deal will not end that, according to Jeff Bonser.

“From the clubs point of view we are looking for Matty to score the goals to help us reach The Championship,” said Chairman, Jeff Bonser on the official site. “It is his desire, and quite rightly so, to play at a much higher level and although we are extremely pleased that he has signed this extended deal, we have an arrangement that if another club shows genuine interest and it represents a move forward for his career, we would not stand in his way.

Obviously any bid would have to reflect the market value at that time before it is considered, but until that happens, Matty Fryatt has committed himself to Walsall Football Club and scoring goals.”

Fryatt commented “We’ve been in talks over a new contract for a while now and I’m glad that everything has been agreed and signed. Walsall FC have been good to me over the years and I hope that I can continue to play well and score goals to help the club push for promotion to The Championship. As is the case with any ambitious player; I want to play at the highest possible level as soon as I can, and the club have assured me that they will not stand in my way should the right offer from the right club come in.”

Merson’s merry men will be returning to Bescot this evening hoping to capitalise on an efficient away win on Saturday. Will the Saddlers start showing a measure of consistency at last?

Jorge Leitao has recovered from the injury which forced him off while winning the penalty for the opening goal on Saturday and Walsall will be missing long term injury victims Wrack and Oakes. Taylor and Roper are approaching full fitness at last, but this game is probably a little early for them.

Standard wisdom is that you shouldn’t change a winning team, but Merson has never been afraid to tinker and the prospect of two games in four days may be daunting for some of the old legs in the side.

Brentford were flying high before the weekend and their surprise 3 – 2 home defeat by previously appalling Bristol City. Despite that defeat, they are still in fourth spot, with a record of:

P 10 Won 5 Drawn 2 Lost 3 For 16 Against 11 Points 17.

They should have left back Andy Frampton back for the trip, following a suspension and charismatic manager Manager Martin Allen has been threatening changes to his starting XI following their first home defeat of the season.
Paul Brooker should return in midfield after stepping off the bench to score against the Robins, while striker DJ Campbell - another second-half substitute against City - could also start.
Captain Ricky Newman is still out with a knee injury, while midfielder Oli Skulason (knee ligaments) is a long-term casualty and neither are given any chance of making the game.

The game will see one of the highest scoring attacks in the league pitted against what was, until Saturday’s debacle against Bristol City, one of the meanest defences, so something should give. What Saddlers fans will not want to see is a repeat of last year’s game at Bescot, when the Saddlers put in one of their worst home performances of the season, losing to a John Salako penalty given away by Darren Wrack, who was playing left back at the time! Saturday’s win should have given the side some confidence to get on a run to see them safely in the play off positions, something they are surely good enough to do.

Andrew Poole, from the official site, has contacted UpTheSaddlers to add: “The Official Walsall FC Web-site have never reported that Craig Pead will be suspended for tonight’s game.”