Walsall Head Coach Michael Flynn has spoken to the local press and revealed that he is planning on adding several more players to his squad when the current campaign comes to an end.
Flynn, who has taken charge of eight league games since replacing Matthew Taylor in the Banks's Stadium dugout, is hoping to have around twenty-four players available for selection next season, with the former Newport County man keen to have options in all positions.
With the club's budget usually among the lowest in the division, it remains to be seen just how many players the gaffer will be able to recruit, but hie is keen to emphasise the importance of a larger squad, especially with the sheer number of games they're expected to play.
When asked whether he's looking to build a bigger squad ahead of the Saddlers' 2022/23 campaign, Flynn, who was speaking via the Express & Star, said; "Yes, one-hundred per cent.
"I've always looked at having a squad of twenty-three or twenty-four. They've always roughly been my numbers.
"It gives you two in each position, and then two more at a push. You're going to get injuries throughout the season, loss of form, suspensions, so I like to have enough cover.
"They have to be the right players. I'm not just going to bring them in for the sake of it, that they can cover a position.
"If we're under that number, it's because a player can play in more than one position, so they'll be used as a utility player. Look, I want to get the best squad we can afford, within the budget, and we'll try to give it a go."
Flynn, who took charge of exactly two-hundred and fifty games as manager of his hometown club, Newport, went on to discuss his recent Exiles squad, admitting that injuries can quickly derail your season, especially when coupled with the likes of COVID-19.
Michael continued; "I went even slightly more at Newport for this season, for a couple of reasons.
"One was because they wanted to start a development team, so they were registered, and we also needed cover because of Covid.
"We learn as we go along, and you've got to have cover. If you have five or six out, then you are decimated if you've only got twenty players – you're not filling the bench.
"Hopefully, we're seeing the back of Covid, but twenty-three or twenty-four is usually the right number to get you through the season."