Mat Sadler tips Dan Scarr for a big season at Walsall

Veteran Sadler has been impressed with the performances of Scarr, who at the age of 24 is 10 years his junior, during the early weeks of the Saddlers campaign.

Former Stourbridge centre-back Scarr won the man-of-the-match prize in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Newport and Sadler said: “Dan can probably be whatever he wants to be.

“He has got everything you would need to be a success and hopefully he can put that all together.

“I have been really impressed with him. He has everything you need in terms of physical attributes.

“He is quick, he is fantastic in the air and has a decent range of passing as well.”

Scarr, who joined the Saddlers from Blues back in January, is yet to make 50 senior appearances as a professional.

But Sadler believes his background in non-league football has helped him adapt. He said: “Dan is like an old, young head, if that makes sense? There is a lot of football left in him.

“Hopefully a bit of experience can help him along that way. Last season was a difficult one for everybody here and he will be wanting to put that right, for sure.

“He is worldly, you would say. He has played a lot of men’s football from a young age and he knows what it is about.

“He won’t shirk anything. But he reads the game well and is another one who you think the fans can relate to.”

Sadler, with more than 500 appearances under his belt, has begun his second stint at Walsall having previously played for the club during the 2011-12 campaign.

The former Blues and Shrewsbury defender admits he relishes the chance to act as a mentor to younger players.

“It means a lot to me when I see players go on,” he said. “I had it at Shrewsbury with Toto Nsiala who ended up getting a move to the Championship.

“You feel like you have played a bit of a part in that, maybe with just bits and bobs. You hope you can bring the best out of each other.”