By David Penniall
January 30 2007

The New Zealand press are today linking Walsall with a move for New Zealand Knights and New Zealand international Noah Hickey who can play as a sweeper, wing-back, wide midfielder or striker on either side. In 1997 he was named as New Zealand Young Player Of The Year and featured in the 2003 Confederations Cup which lead him totrials at Watford and Northampton Town, he is also believed to be the fastest player New Zealand A-league.

And he is hoping to be granted a work permit approved soon before the transfer deadline comes along and will join The Saddlers for five months until the end of the season and then potentially return home to play for a rebranded Knights.

Hickey could provide much needed competition for current right winger Mark Wright as it is unlikly he will feature as a striker with Martin Butler, Hector Sam and new boy Par Cederqvist, this could also put a short end to Tony Bedeau’s Walsall career with long serving midfielder Darren Wrack and Mark Wright also fighting for that position.