Walsall manager Jon Whitney has spoken to the local press following Tuesday evening's pre-season draw with Birmingham City, and has discussed his desire to give some of the club's younger players an opportunity to prove themselves.
Speaking via the Express & Star, Jon said; "I want to start blooding these youngsters. Sam Tonks, Cameron Peters, Callum Cockerill-Mollett, Kory Roberts. I want to get them used to playing for us. Against Birmingham, Kory Roberts got stuck in to Clayton Donaldson and that will make him proud. He came off with the pitch with his chest stuck out.
"It's that confidence and self-esteem that you can build into youngsters and it means they will be ready if called upon. I was really impressed. Callum, the left-back, I think he did really well.
"They have all been around the training ground which is great. Neil Woods (youth coach) is great to let them come up to me. It maybe weakens his team, but at the end of the day it’s all about getting players for the first team."
"It's that confidence and self-esteem that you can build into youngsters and it means they will be ready if called upon. I was really impressed. Callum, the left-back, I think he did really well.
"They have all been around the training ground which is great. Neil Woods (youth coach) is great to let them come up to me. It maybe weakens his team, but at the end of the day it’s all about getting players for the first team."