Dean Keates Hoping to Bring in New Players 'Over the Next Few Days'

Walsall manager Dean Keates has spoken to the local press following his side's pre-season defeat to Aston Villa, and admitted that he needs to add some quality and experience to his squad as, following last weekend's injury to Kory Roberts, and the lack of defensive signings over the summer, he remains very short of options at the back.

Keates, who had just seen his side defeated by four-goals-to-one as Conor Hourihane bagged a treble and Glenn Whelan hit a solo strike, insisted that he is hopeful of adding to his side over the coming days, revealing that he has made offers for players and remains hopeful that the deals will fall into place.

Speaking via the Express & Star, he said; "You can see that we need a bit more experience and a few more bodies and hopefully we can address that over the next few days and into next week. All being well we can bring the right people in and add a bit more quality and experience to the group.

"We have got a couple of offers out there. And at our level, clubs are starting to get more power back. There have been players who have been on a lot more money than we can offer thinking they are going to get something. But they have been sat at home for the start of pre-season and that has opened up an avenue for us. All being well we will know a little bit more in the next 48 hours. Fingers crossed one or two will fall into place."