... BRIGHT YOUNG THING MATTY FRYATT WALSALL, 18

PAUL MERSON believes it will not be long before Premiership spies take a serious look at the England Under-19 striker Matty Fryatt, whose record of 12 goals from only 17 starts has been a bright spot in Walsall's season.

Given his first taste of senior football at the age of 17 early last season, the Nuneaton-born player spent three months on loan at Carlisle and clearly gained from the experience of first-team football.

Fryatt has become Walsall's main attacking weapon, bagging his first hat-trick in a match-winning performance against Huddersfield last month and attracting interest from Crewe's manager Dario Gradi as a potential replacement for Dean Ashton at Gresty Road.

"Matty's an out-and-out goalscorer and a natural finisher who has a bright future ahead of him in the game," said Saddlers manager Merson.

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