Hutchings praises his youngsters

Manny Smith has seized his chance while Walsall are hit by injuries

Walsall boss Chris Hutchings has paid tribute to the club's younger players for their efforts since he took charge at the Banks's Stadium.

Striker Troy Deeney and centre-back Manny Smith are both flourishing under the stewardship of Hutchings.

"Sometimes I think you've got to show a bit of confidence in players and get the best out of them," he told BBC WM.

"They're giving me the confidence back to keep selecting them and that's what they've got to do."

Deeney, 20, has certainly been in eye-catching form, having scored eight goals in his last 12 games, including the strike that put Walsall in front against Crewe in Wednesday night's 1-1 draw.

"We're getting the best out of Troy at the moment but he's still got to look to improve if he wants to do better," said Hutchings, whose team have lost just three times in 12 games since he took over on 20 January.

"He's working extremely hard on the training ground but then everybody is."

Smith, also 20, has benefited from an extended run in the starting line-up partnering Rhys Weston in a makeshift central defence due to the absence of injured pair Anthony Gerrard and Stephen Roberts.