Deeney thinks McDonald's addition is key as the Saddlers target the top six

Walsall forward Troy Deeney believes the permanent signing of centre-back Clayton McDonald from Manchester City will prove a real boon for the club.

McDonald had impressed on loan at the Banks's Stadium earlier this season, and has now signed an 18-month deal.

"He could've just as easily sat there and taken his money at Manchester City," Deeney told BBC WM.

"He's a good lad who wants to play football and sees this as the place where he can build his career."

Although he has dropped down two divisions to join Walsall, Deeney sees the giant defender McDonald, 21, as a very ambitious young player.

If we can get him back playing the way he was when he first came we'll have a quality centre-half Troy Deeney on Clayton McDonald

"Like everyone else he wants to move on at a certain time, but if we can get him back playing the way he was when he first came then we'll have a quality centre-half."

The Saddlers' Christmas programme was wiped out by the big freeze with their games against Bristol Rovers and Norwich City both called off.

The latter game at the Banks's Stadium was not postponed until an hour before kick off, and Deeney says it was a frustrating day.

"Everyone knows that shouldn't have been cancelled, but they didn't fancy it," noted the 21-year old.

"That's given us a bit of confidence that a team like that didn't want to come and play us."

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