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Liam Kinsella to be man in the middle again at Walsall

Walsall’s Liam Kinsella is set to move back into midfield next season following talks with boss Dean Keates.

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The 22-year-old, who has come through the youth ranks at the Banks’s Stadium, was converted to a right-back last year by former boss Jon Whitney.

But following talks with Keates, the Republic of Ireland youth international is now set to be restored to the position he plays for his country.

And with George Dobson and Adam Chambers the only out-and-out central midfielders currently in the squad, Kinsella is aiming to win himself a place in the side when he returns for pre-season training.

“I had a chat with the gaffer at the end of last season,” he said.

“He told me I had done well in his time at the club and that he wanted me to work hard during the summer.

“We spoke about my position and I think centre-mid will probably be my position next season.

“It’s where I have played most of my football. It’s where I have played for the Republic of Ireland and when I played for the reserves and youth team.

“I’m happy to switch it up. And the gaffer was a centre-mid so hopefully, I can learn from him and take that into games.”

Walsall’s players are due to report back for pre-season training a week tomorrow.

And after working throughout the summer, Kinsella – who has been at the club since he was eight-years-old – says he feels fitter than ever.

“I have got to go in, show that I am fit and put in some performances,” he continued.

“We were all given programmes for the summer but with a week to go you have got to up it.

“You’ve got to make sure you come back for pre-season fit and I feel the fittest I have ever felt.

“Hopefully that will impress the gaffer because the new season is fast approaching. It feels like it’s come around really quickly.”

Walsall only narrowly avoided relegation last year.

But Kinsella is confident a more successful season is in store.

“We expect to do better,” he continued.

“The position last season wasn’t good enough and wasn’t where we should have been.

“But we have got some new players in Andy Cook and Josh Ginnelly.

“I think they’re going to add goals which be key to us finishing high up the table.”