New Birmingham City signing Scott Dann has been backed for success by his former youth coach, Mick Halsall.
Halsall, now in charge of Walsall's academy, told the Sunday Mercury: "I do believe that he'll easily be able to step up to the Premier League because of what he's already got.
"He's got all the attributes, he's a leader, organised and terrific in the air and got great feet. Hopefully he will weigh in with a goal or two as well and hopefully in the first game up at Manchester United.
"The big thing is that he's progressed since getting into the Walsall first-team. He's held his own in the Championship and I can't see any reason why he won't be able to compete in the Premier League. Scott has got a lot of potential to fulfil."
He added: "I think he could become one of the of the best centre-backs in the country especially working with the people at Birmingham, McLeish, Aitken who are ex-centre-halves themselves. And of course playing with better players, will help him realise his massive potential."
