Over recent years the Saddlers have operated without an official team of scouts, something Keates has vowed to address this summer as he revealed that several former club favourites have offered their services as he looks to rebuild the squad following a disappointing season, which saw the team struggle towards the foot of the League One table.
Dean, who was speaking via the Express & Star, said; "It is something that we need. It’s something that wasn’t in place at Wrexham, I had to get it sorted up there to a certain extent. But we are in the Football League and we haven’t got active people out on the ground looking, it needs addressing.
"We need people out there taking in games so we can bring players in. And I’ve had ex-players of the football club offer their services. They are based all around the country. We have people who have got an affinity to the football club and who are prepared to help the club. If they are the offers that are out there, I’d be daft not to accept. Over the next few weeks that is something I want to put together properly."
The gaffer then went on to discuss the video-based scouting service 'Wyscout', admitting that while the system is useful, he would prefer to send someone to watch players in person, he continued; "Yes you can watch games on Wyscout scout - there are platforms to view games. But I believe we need people out there on the ground. I am looking to try and get someone who can be out all the time watching games for us.
“I want them scouting players and looking at teams a couple of weeks before we play them so we know how they operate. Then I want the option of having someone in the South West or the North East who can go and watch a player. They will be my direct link, I’ll say who we want watching and other people will take in games and see who is out there. Then if I get a good report from someone I trust, I’ll go and watch the player and make the final decision."