Walsall manager Mat Sadler is hopeful that Jack Earing will sign a new deal with the club ahead of his contract expiring at the end of the campaign.
The number 17’s current deal runs out at the end of this month, after renewing his deal at the Bescot Stadium in the summer.
The 24-year-old has played in just 12 minutes this season, coming on as a substitute in the 0-0 draw with Alfreton Town in the FA Cup. Earing is being eased into the team following a comeback from an 11-month ACL injury he picked up in training back in January.
Signed in July 2021 from Halifax Town on a free transfer, the midfielder has made a total of 68 appearances in Walsall colours.
Speaking ahead of their clash away at Accrington Stanley on Saturday, Sadler revealed that the club were discussing a new contract with the 24-year-old. [Quotes via Express and Star]:
“Yes (talks are) ongoing. We’re desperate to get it sorted and hopefully we’re not too far away as well. It’s really close.”
Prior to his injury, Earing was a consistent squad and bench option for previous manager Michael Flynn, making 11 appearances and playing 446 minutes in the league.
In an interview with club media following the draw to Alfreton, Earing spoke of his return and road to recovery, saying:
“The injury wasn’t nice at all, it happened just before the Stockport game that led to the Leicester game so that hurt me but the recovery went quite quick and steady.
“Everyone gathered round me, family, friends, physios and it was an easy road to recovery, I cracked on with my rehab and it’s led me to this day and I’m buzzing.
“I just wanted to get on the pitch, I’ve waited so long for this although the circumstances of the pitch weren’t great but there are no excuses for that.”
Writer’s View
Earing is a solid squad option for Walsall, and it is great to see him return to action following a horrific injury like an ACL. It came at the worst time for the midfielder too as he was starting to get plenty of minutes on the pitch and building up to a big FA Cup tie with Leicester City. He will hope to see more game-time in the league to prove to Sadler he can offer him something going forward should they reach a new contract agreement.
Walsall head into their trip to Lancashire on the back of two solid wins against Notts County and Tranmere Rovers, and will hope to continue their good run against an Accrington side that have picked up two points in their last four games. Defeating a playoff contender like Stanley will put the Saddlers within touching distance of the top seven themselves, perhaps making them an unlikely contender should they keep ticking over with consistent points.
Football journalist with The Real EFL since 2023. A 2024 Multimedia Journalism graduate from the University of Salford, Lewis specialises in Salford City FC and EFL coverage.
