Walsall manager Dean Smith has spoken to the press ahead of this weekend's Sky Bet League 1 clash with Barnsley, and has discussed Barnsley's former Saddlers loanee Milan Lalkovič, who joined the Tykes from Czech side FK Mladá Boleslav over the winter.
Speaking to the Walsall Advertiser, Smith said; "After the last game of the season we talked and I told him there would be a contract offer here which we spoke about.
"I kept in touch with Lalksy all through the summer and we would have loved to have had him here from the start of the season. He decided to go abroad to play and it didn't quite work out as he would have liked.
"I think he was agent led, going to the Czech Republic, because they were in the Europa League and he wanted to get that experience.
"It was a tough decision for him because he really liked this place and he really enjoyed his work here.
"When time came for him to come back we had already stocked up with our players and it wasn't to be, having brought in the likes of Anthony Forde.
"He is a really nice lad, he's quite an emotive kid as well and I think he found a connection here.
"I think he felt a real part of the club last season even though he was a Chelsea player. You never lose that, he still has that affinity.
"I spoke to him when he signed for Barnsley and I said the main thing is you learn from the experiences.
"He has learned a hell of a lot from going over there and it not working out. He knows what he wants to do now.
"We know what he has got and what he can do. He will be a threat but our players know him well enough! I'm sure a few players will give him a little nudge!
"We feel we helped him develop so it is Barnsley's gain really. I look forward to seeing him but I hope he doesn't have a productive game."