Walsall's defender search

With the injury to Ian Roper and the lack of match fitness of fellow centre half Alan Picken, things have got worse for the defence as right back and centre half Chris Westwood limped out of saturdays game with a reported hamstring problem.

DD has spoken to the press stating his desire to get in defensive cover in time for saturdays game at Darlington. One defender he had hoped to sign on friday picked up a slight knock in training which stopped the move it is possible this may be restarted if he recovers. The name in the frame for this mystery defender is Derby's Richard Jackson. He has also played at full back as well as centre half.

Mean while Walsall will have another defender on trial in tonights reserve game. Anthony Barness who has been on trial with Yeovil after Plymouth let him go. Anthony's last game for the Plymouth came in there 1-0 defeat to the saddlers. At 34 years old he has plenty of experience mainly gained in the top two divisions, last season he started 34 games in the championship for Plymouth. He can play anywhere along the defence but has spent most of his time at full back. This does raise a question mark over January signing Geordie Lyall.

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