By Dave Hawkes
August 31 2004

Walsall manager Paul Merson has praised striker Jorge Leitao. "He has been outstanding lately and he works so hard for the team," he told the Express and Star. Jorge scored twice during the first half of yesterday's game as Walsall came back from 0-2 down against Swindon Town, Gary Birch scoring the winning goal with just minutes remaining to give Merson's side a much needed win.

Jorge only started his first game of the season last weekend against Barnsley, and both he and Birch put in solid performances on Monday afternoon as Matt Fryatt missed the game through injury.

Merson said: "Jorge was different class yesterday. He and Gary Birch worked well together up front, and when Jorge is on that kind of form he is the best centre-forward in the league, I have no doubts about that.

"Jorge waited for his chance and now he's taken it. He was brilliant when he was out of the side. He just got on with his job and he really is the model professional.