Walsall midfielder Sam Mantom has backed the club to finish higher than last season's ninth place in League One.

The Saddlers enjoyed an excellent second half of the season before missing out on a place in the playoffs, but Mantom sees no reason why they can't finish higher next year.

The 21-year-old told the Express & Star: "We want to try to get to ninth again but there is no reason why we can't get higher and into the playoffs.

"We are certainly not looking at relegation now and we are looking up more than down. If we can really have a good start, we can take points off the best sides in this league."

The former West Bromwich Albion trainee sealed a permanent move to Walsall in January after impressing during a loan spell.