Walsall manager Paul Merson has snapped up experienced defender Steve Staunton on a non- contract basis, writes Brian Dick.
The 36-year-old career could make his Saddlers debut in tonight's friendly with Aston Villa although he is suspended from their first match of the season against Rotherham on Saturday and the opening match at Bescot Stadium with Nottingham Forest.
The former Villa and Liverpool man has agreed to join Walsall on a week to week basis and is expected to do contribute to the club's coaching structure.
At the other end of the Walsall age spectrum is England Under-19 striker Matty Fryatt who returned to the club after his goal-scoring exploits in the Uefa European Under-19 Championships.
Fryatt scored four times in the tournament, including a hat-trick in the semifinal against Serbia & Montenegro, ahead of the new season which gets under way this weekend.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time with England," he said. "It was disappointing that we couldn't win the tournament but I learned so much.
"The coaching staff did a lot to improve my overall game. I think that I benefited from being involved regularly at first-team level because most of the rest of the squad have only really figured at reserve team level for their club sides.
"It's been a real boost for myself and I hope that I can maintain this scoring form going into the new season."
