According to reports in South Yorkshire, Walsall Football Club held an unsuccessful trial with a Doncaster Rovers goalkeeper, who is said to have turned down a proposed contract extension in favour of a brief trial with the Saddlers.The South Yorkshire Times suggests 20-year-old Jonathan Maxted wasn't fully aware of Rovers' stance on his trial and is now without a club.
Maxted's agent Will Arnett, spoke about the situation, confirming Jon's visit to Walsall, he told the Times; “As the club told him he was available for trial he visited Walsall for the day which he informed the club.
“When he asked the (Doncaster) goalkeeping coach Paul Gerrard if he could return the following day to training at Doncaster Rovers, he was told not to bother.”
Doncaster manager Paul Dickov offered some clarity to the situation, telling the Times: “He did ask me that if he went down and it didn't work out, could he come back and I said no.”
“I don't think it’s worked out with Walsall. Jonny’s a good kid, just a bit naive at times.
“We told him we wanted him to stay here and progress the way he has come on last year.
“He, or more so his agent, thought it would be a good idea to go down to Walsall but it’s not worked out so we’re looking at other options now.”
It would appear that Maxted spent just a day with the squad and following the Saddlers' acquisition of Harrogate Town 'keeper Craig MacGillivray, did not do enough to implore Dean Smith to offer him a deal.
The Saddlers have also been linked with a trial for 20-year-old Swindon Town scholar Leigh Bedwell, who appeared on a training list for the on the opening day of pre-season training.