Walsall coach Neil Cutler has spoken to the local press and revealed that the Saddlers are close to confirming the signing of a new goalkeeper following the departures of first-choice Neil Etheridge, who has joined Cardiff City, and reserve Craig MacGillivray, who has opted to seek first-team football elsewhere.
Neil, who was speaking to the Express & Star's Walsall correspondent Joseph Masi, said; "We are very close to confirming the signing of a new goalkeeper. We have verbally agreed a deal with our primary target and it’s just a case now of getting him in the building and signing the deal.
"It’s been an extensive process because I want a certain type of goalkeeper – one who has the criteria that is important to me. I’m looking for speed, agility, power, athleticism. I need to look at what they have done and where I can develop them.
"I need to be working with someone who has that drive, someone who wants to be a top keeper and is willing to work hard, improve and get better. We have found that now."
Neil, who is credited with boosting the careers of Richard O'Donnell and Neil Etheridge, who have both moved on to play in the Championship following successful spells with the Saddlers, then went on to discuss what characteristics he and first-team manager Jon Whitney are looking for in a potential new recruit, he said; "We want more leaders in the group because at times last season we lacked a bit of character when things were going again us. We want to find players with the right work ethic, players who are motivated, will buy into what we are trying to do and who will strive to get better every single day.
"These special players take a little bit longer to find but we are finding them. We are really excited about the squad we are looking to build for next season."
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