Last season, Sion Spence broke Walsall hearts in a Bristol Rovers shirt. Now, after being released by Crystal Palace, the Welshman is bidding to win a deal at the site of his first professional goal.
The 21-year-old was pictured playing for the Saddlers in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Birmingham City on Tuesday as he looks for a new club after leaving Selhurst Park.
Spence was something of an unlikely hero for the Gas during his season-long loan in BS7, scoring a stoppage-time winner at the Bescot Stadium in September to inject some desperately-needed momentum into the campaign.
That was followed by an incredible brace as a substitute to inspire a thrilling comeback victory over Oxford United in the FA Cup two months later, but he would feature just six more times before the end of the season.
With the likes of Elliot Anderson and Antony Evans ahead of the former Cardiff City prospect in the pecking order for attacking midfield spots, Spence did not feature in any of the final 25 League Two games for the Gas as they clinched promotion.
Nonetheless, Gas manager Joey Barton praised Spence at the end of the season and indicated he would be happy for the Wales under-21 international to return. He told BBC Radio Bristol in May: "I’d love all of them (the loanees) back. They were superb, every single one of them, even young Spenno.
"I think back to Sion’s goal at Walsall and Oxford in the FA Cup. They were massive goals for us in terms of momentum and keeping that upward trajectory in the season. He never played as many minutes as he probably would have done in a successful period for him, but we also feel that has added value to him.
"We would want to take them all, but they are somebody else’s players and they kindly loan them to you."
Another man familiar to Rovers who is on trial at Walsall is former Fulham striker Timmy Abraham, according to the Express & Star. The 21-year-old spent a brief loan spell with the Gas in the lead up to the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, making four substitute appearances without making much of an impression.
Brother of England international Tammy, he has since spent time on loan at Plymouth Argyle and Newport County before being released by Fulham this summer, and he is bidding to win a place in Michael Flynn's squad.
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