Mat Sadler offered a three-word answer when asked about speculation around a move for Walsall midfielder Jamie Jellis in January.
The midfielder has been the Bescot club’s shining light this season, playing 16 matches in League Two and scoring three times. With cup competitions added, he has played 24 times and has quickly become one of the first names on the teamsheet for The Saddlers.
Sadler Discusses Rumours
Rumours over the past week have linked the 23-year-old with a move away in the winter transfer window, with unnamed clubs in League One and the Championship interested in his services.
But speaking to the Express and Star, Mat Sadler had a very simple answer when asked if the club would be keen on keeping the midfielder at the club past January.
“Yes, we will.”
“Luckily we have got a good squad. With Jamie, we will get him back, and we will go again with the squad that we have got.”
Jellis is expected to be missing after picking up an injury following the loss to Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup, after his late winner against Bolton Wanderers sealed them a matchup with The Addicks. He is expected to return to action fully within the next few weeks.
They face a major test in League Two action tonight when they face fellow promotion candidates Notts County in the West Midlands as they seek to hunt down leaders Port Vale, who they have a game in hand on.
Writer’s View
It seems the hype generated around Jamie Jellis’ non-league form with Tamworth and then his brilliant start to this season has already got second and third-tier teams sniffing around this window. He is undoubtedly a brilliant player who can play at those levels soon enough, but it will be important for him to bed in fully to EFL football and with Walsall he is already getting that. If a move is to happen, it would be next summer rather than next month.
