Walsall manager Dean Smith has spoke to the press ahead of next week's Johnstone's Paint Trophy Northern Area Semi-Final clash with Tranmere Rovers, and has indicated that he is preparing to open contract negotiations with Richard O'Donnell and Paul Downing as he looks to secure the club's star performers.
Speaking to the Express & Star, Smith said; “I have regular chats with the chairman and chief executive about players we should be looking to keep. There are always a lot of negotiations to be done with agents and we speak to the players themselves.
“Paul became our vice captain in the summer and is definitely a player we would like to keep. As we get into the new year that is something we will be looking to do with him and the likes of Richard O’Donnell.”
SOURCE EXPRESS & STAR