Gray seeked advice from England star

New signing Julian Gray has revealed how he seeked advice from Aston Villa and England striker Emile Heskey as to whether he should join Walsall.

Heskey played under Hutch at Wigan and said that the gaffer was the right man to turn around Gray’s career.

Gray told the Express and Star: ‘I know Emile really well and he worked with the gaffer, so told me what a good guy he was and what his philosophy was. I let him know I was coming down and he told me what Chris was like. He said I`d enjoy it, the manager was a football man and that helps. He`s a good coach.

“Emile has been proved right as everything he said about the manager is true and everyone has made me feel really welcome.”

Gray is in line to start against Brentford on Saturday, after his impressive midweek display in the 2-1 win at Leeds.