Mat Sadler: Walsall boss says former defender Scott Dann not training with club

Scott Dann made his professional debut with Walsall in January 2005 and went on to make 69 appearances before joining Coventry City in 2008

Walsall head coach Mat Sadler says he has not abandoned the idea of signing an experienced replacement for Chris Hussey but confirmed ex-Saddler Scott Dann is not training with the club.

Dann, 36, is a free agent after leaving Reading in the summer and there was some speculation he was back at the club where he started his career.

Sadler wants to replace Hussey, who is now a player-coach at Stratford.

But he said "someone's put two and two together and got five" on Dann.

"No, I know nothing about Scott. There's nothing on that one, no," Sadler said.

Although Dann, who also played for Coventry City, Birmingham City, Blackburn and Crystal Palace, will not be returning to Walsall, Sadler has been trying to fill the gap in his squad left by the departed Hussey.

The 34-year-old called time on his 16-year professional career last month to take up "exciting opportunity outside of the sport" and has since joined seventh-tier Stratford.

"We tried to bring someone in but they went to a different club in the end," Sadler told BBC Radio WM.

"They went to a club a level above. I trialled a few different ones but I wasn't willing to bring in just anyone.

"Obviously when Huss [Hussey] left, we felt like there might be an experienced one that we might want to get back in and that'll be something that we do look towards in the future - without doubt.

"What I don't want to do is rush in with somebody who's not right just to fill a void as that might take money away in January [for transfers] so it's a fine balancing act.

"We've looked but haven't found the right one."

Walsall are 17th in League Two following a run of one win in five league games and lost on penalties in their latest group match in the EFL Trophy against Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday.