Walsall set for double injury boost at Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy

Mat Sadler has confirmed Walsall duo Harrison Burke and Mason Hancock will feature at Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy on Wednesday.

The pair have been back in training in recent weeks and Hancock was even an unused substitute during the Saddlers' 5-1 defeat at Norwich City in the FA Cup on Sunday. 

Burke also travelled as the spare man to Carrow Road after missing over three months with a knee injury, although he was not involved in the match day squad. 

Meanwhile, left wing-back Hancock has been out for almost five months with a dislocated knee. 

Walsall set for double injury boost

Sadler has stressed both will need time to reach full match fitness, but that Burke and Hancock will play some part at the Sixfields Stadium in the EFL Trophy round of 16.

Harrison Burke has not featured for Walsall since October 4.placeholder image
Harrison Burke has not featured for Walsall since October 4.

"Both Mason and Harrison have been training and will certainly be available for Wednesday," boss Sadler revealed. 

"Being in the Vertu Trophy is very beneficial for multiple reasons. They'll definitely both feature in that game, but they're never properly back until you've had a certain amount of training time and game time. 

"We've been cautious with them, but also ambitious at the same time, with their return dates. After Harrison's setback, he has targeted this time and he was really pushed to get back. 

"It's the same with Mason as well. We're delighted to have both of them back in training because you can see the quality that they can offer." 

Mason Hancock had been out since August due to a dislocated knee.placeholder image
Mason Hancock had been out since August due to a dislocated knee.

Prior to his injury last August, Hancock registered one assist in four games in League Two after also impressing during pre-season. 

Hancock, who arrived from Scottish Championship outfit Airdrieonians in June, has not featured since being stretchered off during the Saddlers' 1-0 home defeat against Grimsby Town on August 19.

Burke has scored once in nine league appearances since joining from non-league Chester City last summer.

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