Express & Star

Liam Kinsella eager to keep Walsall place

Liam Kinsella says he is fighting to hold down a regular starting spot after impressing in Walsall’s draw at MK Dons.

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The Saddlers travel to take on Doncaster tomorrow looking to end a run that has seen them draw their last four fixtures.

With Nicky Devlin rested, Kinsella was restored to the side for Tuesday’s clash in Buckinghamshire and impressed in his new role at right-back.

And the 21-year-old is now hoping he has done enough to keep his place for the trip to the Keepmoat Stadium tomorrow.

“I’ve been working really hard in training to get back into the team and thankfully the gaffer put me in and I gave it my best shot,” he said.

“I felt good. I felt fit. I enjoyed every minute and it was a good point away from home against a good MK Dons side.

“Every time I put on the shirt I’ll give it 100 per cent and hopefully now I can stay in the team.

“Me and Nicky have been in good competition throughout the season.

“But hopefully I’ve done enough to keep my place for Doncaster.”

Walsall, who are yet to keep a clean sheet this season, have failed to win their last six outings. Five of those games have ended in draws. But Kinsella believes a run of wins – together with a run of clean sheets – is just around the corner.

“I feel we’ve put in some really good performances but haven’t got the wins I think we deserve,” he continued.

“We’re trying to turn draws into wins and hopefully we can do that and bounce back up the table.

“We’re really focused on getting clean sheets because we know once we do the wins will follow.

“I think once we get the first, it’ll start happening on a regular basis.”

Despite being out of contract in the summer, Kinsella says his only thought at the minute is earning a regular place in Jon Whitney’s side.

“I’m just thinking about the here and now,” he said.

“If I put in good performances, hopefully something can happen.

“At the moment, I’m focusing on Doncaster away and then hopefully, if I’m playing, I can put in a good performance.”

Part of a sporting family, Kinsella’s sister Alice is a gymnast for Team GB with high hopes of competing in the 2020 Olympics being held in Tokyo.

“I’m with her every step of the way,” Kinsella added.

“She was unfortunate to get injured in the world championships recently and missed in the final but she’s doing really well.

“It’s hard for me to watch at times but she has no fear.

“Hopefully she can get in that team for 2020. She’s working really hard for it.”