Deeney pens new Saddlers contract

Deeney found form following the arrival of boss Chris Hutchings

Walsall striker Troy Deeney has agreed a new contract with the League One club, keeping him at the Banks's Stadium until the summer of 2011.

"I am very pleased to have my immediate future sorted out," the 21-year-old told the club website.

"Having just become a father, this was important to me. I want to concentrate on my football and progress."

Deeney has failed to find the net so far this season, but ended the 2008/9 campaign as joint top scorer.

"It's time for me to start scoring goals now," added Deeney. "My aim is to be top scorer for the next two years. I want to get my first of the season and then kick on from there."

The Saddlers have struggled for goals this term.

They have scored just five times in their first eight matches in all competitions with two of them coming from the penalty spot.

Sam Parkin scored twice and Alex Nicholls once in a 4-0 win for the reserves against Macclesfield on Tuesday, and assistant manager Martin O'Connor admitted that both players have a chance of starting for the first team at Tranmere on Saturday.

"At the start of the season we wanted competition for places and Sam's put his mark on the game, as has Alex," O'Connor told BBC WM.

"It gives us headaches, but those are the types of headaches that we want."