
Speaking to the Walsall Advertiser, Smith said; "We're still talking with Richard at the moment in terms of trying to keep him here. It's down to Richard and his agent – we've done all that we can.
"He's done well and he'll rightly have got the plaudits for that as well – and with that, other people come in and look at you.
"We offered him a contract in, I think November, and then a new one in February so we've done all that we can to try to keep him. We hope he stays but who knows.
"But it's important that Craig gets some first-team football. We're safe and I always said I'd bring Craig in.
"I spoke with Richard about it and he was fine – he agreed with me and thought it was the right move."