WALSALL, England -- Premier big boys have been warned -- Killer's on the prowl! The "killer'' in question is Walsall hit-man Kyle Lightbourne, who is attracting scouts from all the top English clubs.

Bermuda-born Lightbourne has been nicknamed "Killer'' by his Walsall team-mates and they are banking on him to fire the goals which will provide the shock of the day in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

Lightbourne is in his second season with Walsall, having been handed a free transfer by Scarborough, his first port of call in English football three years ago.

Last season he played out of position on the left wing, but since he started this campaign as an out and out central striker his career has taken off dramatically.

It is all a far cry from the time when Lightbourne was driving heavy plant and earth-moving equipment in his native land.

Now he is looking more and more the finished article and his improved self-confidence has enabled him to score 16 goals so far.

They have taken Saddlers to second place in the Third Division and Chris Nicholl's team are looking increasingly a sound bet for promotion.

And his team's startling form has not gone unnoticed by the big clubs as no fewer than nine Premiership scouts were watching Walsall's last game against Doncaster.

Manchester United and Arsenal led the way and West Ham, who squeezed Walsall out in extra time of the Coca Cola Cup tie in October, were back for another look.

In addition Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Everton, Ipswich, Wimbledon and Leeds were among the clubs in attendance.

Lightbourne is well on the way to achieving the 20-goal target he set himself at the start of the season and he has formed a lethal partnership with player/coach Kevin Wilson, the Northern Ireland international who has chipped in with 11 so far.

His contract runs out at the end of this season and Walsall could well be faced with the dilemma of selling him for big money or hanging on to a prize asset.

For the time being though, Lightbourne has no intention of moving anywhere.

"I'm really enjoying my football here and all I want to do is stay and continue scoring goals,'' he said. "There's a tremendous bunch of lads here and we really believe we can cause an upset on Saturday.

"Leeds will not know too much about us, but we have seen them and know what to expect.

"Our small pitch could catch them out and we have two superb wingers in Chris Marsh and Scott Houghton who can give them problems.

"Believe me, if there's any complacency we are in the mood to take advantage because there's a lot of self-belief in this team.'' Lightbourne dismisses any talk of a move with a shrug.

"You hear a lot of speculation, but until something definite comes of it I just ignore it all,'' he said.

"My only aim is to stay in the side at Walsall and help them to promotion.

Anything else is a bonus, but I must admit it would be nice to have a good cup run.

"Every player in the country wants to do well in the FA Cup because it is such a glamorous competition and here at Walsall we have not been in the third round for four years so we want to do well.'' And come Saturday night, a few million people might well sit up and take notice of the name Lightbourne as highlights of the match are to be shown on BBC television's Match of the Day.

KYLE LIGHTBOURNE -- "We really believe we can cause an upset on Saturday.''