Walsall manager Jon Whitney has spoken to the local press ahead of Good Friday's League one clash with Shrewsbury Town, and praised young striker Mitchel Candlin, who has recently made the breakthrough to the first-team squad.
Speaking via the Express & Star, Jon first praised Mitchel Candlin, who has recently stepped up from the development squad to be a part of the first-team, he said; "Mitch is like a duck to water. He just plays and demands it. Mitch is just not fussed by it one bit, it doesn’t bother him. He’s very vocal, doesn’t go within, steps forward and that’s why he’s in my team, forget the age."
Jon then went on to discuss Amadou Bakayoko, who has been out with a thigh injury, but is expected to be in contention for the upcoming clash with Shrewsbury, Jon said; "Ama’s okay – he trained on Thursday, Friday last week. But I needed to give him another week for Shrewsbury. Now it’s between him and Mitch, and Mitch did really well last week. So this is what I’ve got, a competitive bench, not just a starting 10.
"And I want all my players, regardless of age, regardless of whether you’re a scholar or a pro, you fight for a position in my squad and I’ll judge that through the week and pick my team from it."
Jon then went on to discuss Amadou Bakayoko, who has been out with a thigh injury, but is expected to be in contention for the upcoming clash with Shrewsbury, Jon said; "Ama’s okay – he trained on Thursday, Friday last week. But I needed to give him another week for Shrewsbury. Now it’s between him and Mitch, and Mitch did really well last week. So this is what I’ve got, a competitive bench, not just a starting 10.
"And I want all my players, regardless of age, regardless of whether you’re a scholar or a pro, you fight for a position in my squad and I’ll judge that through the week and pick my team from it."