Mat Sadler issues rehab update on Walsall duo Mason Hancock and Harry Williams

The 22-year-old, who joined Walsall from Airdrieonians in the summer, has not featured since dislocating his knee in a 1-0 home defeat against Grimsby Town on August 19. 

Hancock started four times prior to his injury and was ruled out for "four to six months" after undergoing surgery. 

Sadler has previously earmarked a possible return in late January and is optimistic that Hancock will be able to make his comeback after the New Year.

Sadler hopeful of late January return for Hancock

"Mason is a bit ahead of Harry and is fighting to make it shorter than he would want it to be," boss Sadler revealed.

"It was a four to six month injury. That's still the hope [that he'll be back by late January]." 

There is still a fighting chance that Harry Williams could feature before the end of the season, although Sadler has warned there is still a long journey ahead for the young defender. 

Williams has been out since suffering a ruptured Achilles in Walsall's 1-0 defeat against AFC Wimbledon in the League Two play-off final at Wembley in May.

'Still a long journey ahead' 

Sadler has confirmed that Williams is out of his protective boot and has been continuing his rehabilitation on the grass in recent weeks.

"Harry is now completely out of the boot. He had a wedge to a degree in the certain stages of the Achilles rehab," he added. 

"He is off that now and doesn't have any wedging at all. That's progressing really well but we've still got a long way to go with Harry. 

"Because not only that, but you're kind of training your body in that area to remember what it's like to walk properly again. 

"So he has still got a long journey ahead, but he has been out on the grass every other day, which is great."