Mullen runs rule over trialists

Mullen is looking to bolster his squad for the League One campaign (Getty)

Walsall boss Jimmy Mullen will decide the fate of his four trialists before the start of the season.

Strikers Patrick Suffo and Georges Ba, midfielder Keegan Ayre and defender Chris Palmer all lined-up in Tuesday's 3-2 friendly defeat by Aston Villa.

Cameroon international Suffo scored the Saddlers' second goal, to add to a brace against Worcester City last week.

"That's what we brought him here for, to show he can do that on a regular basis," Mullen told BBC WM.

"To be fair to the boy he's come to us short of fitness and he's playing catch-up at the moment.

"But there's no doubt he's got the ability to put the ball in the back of the net."

Ba is a free agent after being released by Gillingham, the Ivory Coast born striker having spent most of his career playing in the French league.

"Big George is a handful, he's a big powerful boy who chases lost causes," Mullen said.

"If he could have a little bit more quality around the front of goal then he'd be even better."

Palmer played the full ninety minutes at right back, while Ayre, who is a free agent, came off the bench for the final quarter of the game.

"Keegan came recommended to me by a friend of mine in Scotland," said Mullen.

"He was at Hibs but never really made the breakthrough so we said we'd take a look at him.

"He's been with us a couple of weeks and he's done very well. He's more of a passer and a playmaker."

20-year old Ayre played nine times on loan at Berwick Rangers last season, and was a Canadian under-19 international.