Broadhurst is new Saddlers boss

Broadhurst managed Northampton between 2001 and 2003

Walsall have appointed former Northampton Town boss Kevan Broadhurst as their new manager, initially until the end of the season.

Youth coach Mick Halsall had been in caretaker charge since player-boss Paul Merson was sacked on 6 February.

As well as managing the Cobblers, Broadhurst, 46, also had spells on the coaching staff at Birmingham City, Luton Town and Oxford United,

He was assistant manager at Bristol Rovers for a year until last summer.

Broadhurst spent most of his playing career at Birmingham, though he did have a brief three-game loan spell at Walsall in 1979.

Kevan's brief is to keep us in League One Walsall chairman Jeff Bonser

The Saddlers are 22nd in League One, but chairman Jeff Bonser has said that Broadhurst feels confident he can prevent relegation.

Bonser explained: "Kevan is a vastly experienced and well-qualified coach with a Uefa A coaching licence.

"Kevan's brief is obviously to keep us in League One, and if that objective is achieved, there is no doubt that he will continue as manager next season.

"He knows the League One scene and has experienced the kind of battle to avoid relegation that we now face."

Broadhurst has assured supporters that he is "totally focused" on avoiding the drop.

"I will work very hard to achieve this objective, and have a great deal of experience to fall back on," he said.

"I have watched Walsall on a number of occasions this season, and am looking forward to the challenge.

"As long as I have the full support of my coaching staff and players, and that our supporters act as our 12th man, I feel confident I can succeed."