Speaking ahead of Walsall’s League One encounter with Scunthorpe United, manager Dean Keates said he was hopeful of adding to his squad in the next week.
When asked about new signings the Saddlers boss told the Express and Star “there is progress.”
“We need to add. We need to strengthen. All being well, in the next few days one or two could be added.”
The news will be welcomed by supporters at the Bank’s Stadium who have seen their team slip down the table in recent weeks after failing to win any of their last six games, conceding seventeen goals in the process.
Scunthorpe head to the West Midlands having won their last three games and will provide a stiff test for Keates men who are set to embark on a run of four games against opposition currently below them in the league.
Keates is under no illusion as to the importance of this stage of the season, telling the Express and Star “We are heading into a batch of games which is crucial to us as a club.”
“I would not say it is make-or-break but we have the chance to make our lives a lot easier.”
“The alternative is to make it a lot harder. Scunthorpe will be difficult.”
Keates will be hoping his team can rediscover their early season form, which saw them briefly reach the top six, and put behind them a run which has seen them record just one league win in eleven fixtures stretching back to October.
The Saddlers are currently in the fifteenth position in League One, two places and two points above Scunthorpe.
Our View
Keates needs to strengthen if Walsall are to avoid a repeat of last years relegation battle. Their recent form is a worry and in stark contrast to The Iron who appear to be slowly getting themselves out of trouble, no doubt benefiting from increased competition for places having signed five players early in the window. It will not be a surprise if Stuart McCall’s resurgent men head back too Glanford Park with all three points on Saturday.
