Lee signs new Saddlers deal

Lee with the Saddlers star summer signing Paul Merson

Walsall manager Colin Lee has signed a new rolling contract designed to keep him at the Bescot Stadium for the foreseeable future.

The Saddlers chief has seen his year-to-year rolling deal extended after extensive discussions with club owner Jeff Bonser, although money had not been an issue.

"First and foremost I wanted to establish how the club intended to move forward," said Lee.

"I have said it many times in the past, but I don't want to be associated with a club that stands still and I have been given certain assurances that we will be continuing to improve in all departments.

"I understand fully the financial restrictions here and if I asked for more money myself it would only take away from my playing budget.

"The contract is structured in a way that it will be beneficial to the club long-term," he told the club's official website.

Lee arrived at Bescot in January 2002 and has won 31 of his 88 matches in charge at Bescot. The Saddlers are in a comfortable mid-table position following consecutive wins over Reading and Wigan.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has agreed to extend Gary O'Neil's loan spell at Walsall but reserved the right to recall the player at 24 hours' notice.

The 20-year-old's initial month's loan expired after Saturday's 2-0 victory over Wigan and Redknapp had been cautious about sanctioning an extension in case Pompey were hit by a sudden rash of injuries.

But now the Fratton Park manager has granted O'Neil a second month at the Bescot.

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