New Walsall boss Paul Merson has already started planning for next season as the club look to bounce straight back to Division One.

Merson wants to keep outstanding goalkeeper James Walker and utility man Neil Emblen at the Bescot Stadium and has also promoted several youth-team players.

"We've given five lads from the youth team professional contracts for next season as well as agreeing a new deal with Ian Roper and bringing Gary Birch back from his loan spell at Barnsley," Merson said.

"I am also hoping that James Walker and Neil Emblen will sign new contracts to give us a good blend of youth and experience in our squad.

"With the kind of players we have here already plus the ones that I'm looking to bring in everyone will want to beat us next season and I can't wait for us to get started."