Jonny Brain played over 100 games for former club Macclesfield Town

Goalkeeper Jonny Brain is hopeful of keeping his first clean sheet for Walsall against Colchester on Saturday.

Brain, a summer signing from League Two side Macclesfield, is one of several new faces at the Bescot Stadium and has started all six games this season.

The 27-year-old told BBC WM: "We're looking alright as a unit but there are certain aspects we can work on.

"We need to defend better as a team and tighten up in general. The quicker the first clean sheet comes, the better."

Walsall's first-choice goalkeepers from 2009/10 both departed from the club in the summer, with Clayton Ince announcing his retirement and Rene Gilmartin moving to Championship outfit Watford.

A number of defenders, including last season's skipper Mark Hughes and the experienced Rhys Weston, also left the club, leaving manager Chris Hutchings short of options at the back.

Of their opening four league matches, the Saddlers have won two and lost two, with Brain expecting another difficult test on Saturday.

"They [Colchester] are a solid team and they're hard to break down," added the former Port Vale stopper. "Even so, it's a game with be looking to take three points from."

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