Mark Kinsella today revealed his desire for a long-term role on and off the field at Walsall. The experienced midfielder has been sidelined since the end of January by a sprained ankle. It's been frustrating for the 32-year-old, kept out of the fray just as he started to show his best form since joining the Saddlers. His first-team return is still at least a couple of weeks away but the injury has had the side-effect of opening the door to coaching possibilities for the Irishman. Short of assistance since the departures of Frank Barlow and Jim Walker, manager Paul Merson has harnessed Kinsella's experience on the coaching side. The midfielder has been working with the younger players at Bescot and taking charge of reserve games. And it's an arrangement he would like to see evolve even when he's fit and playing again. "The gaffer asked me to take the last seven or eight reserve games this season and I'm enjoying it," he said. "I'm taking my coaching qualifications as well because this is something I want to be involved in. "My main concern is helping Walsall progress and I think by helping the youngsters along, it will give us an ever better chance of moving forward. "We've fielded a very young reserve side and I think they've acquitted themselves well. There is a lot of good kids here. "It's been hard not being involved with the firstteam but I've been delighted to work with the reserves. I've always taken a keen interest in coaching." The question of first-team coaching back-up to Merson must be addressed in the summer. Kinsella is an option although Walsall don't have to look far for a reminder of the risk of appointing a man with minimal coaching experience. Iffy Onuora lasted less than half a season. Kinsella's top priority, of course, remains to get firing again as a player. "The injury is progressing as expected," he said. "I was told it would take six to eight weeks to heal and this is my sixth week out. I've just started training with the first-team again and getting some movement into the ankle and I'm feeling okay." | 
