"A lot to like" - Mat Sadler praises returning Mason Hancock as Vincent Harper absence explained
Mat Sadler says "there is a lot to like" about Mason Hancock after the Walsall left wing-back made his league return on Tuesday night.
Hancock, who missed almost five months with a dislocated knee, made his first league appearance since August 19 during the Saddlers' goalless stalemate against Crawley Town at Bescot.
He officially returned against Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy earlier this month and played 74 minutes in midweek.
Sadler insists Hancock is still very much on the comeback trail, but that his recent minutes will serve as a major confidence booster.
Hancock on the 'comeback trail'
"It definitely is a comeback trail, but every time you go out there will give him confidence," boss Sadler said.
"He played about 74 minutes in the end and he'll start to feel that he is back, ready and good to go.
"We just went through his clips there and some of the brilliant stuff that he did the other night.
"There was lots to like for somebody who has just coming back in a really difficult game.
"There was a lot of thought that had to go into the game and it's just keeping him fit, happy and healthy."
"We're very lucky on both sides with Courtney [Clarke] and Connor Barrett, and then Mason and Vinny on the other side."
'Vinny is fine' - Sadler on Harper's absence
Hancock started at the expense of Vincent Harper, who was not included in the squad against Crawley.
However, Sadler has confirmed there is no injury issue for the Kenyan international and that he will be available for selection to face Chesterfield on Saturday.
"Vinny is fine. We can't everyone and if I had a bench of 10 then that would be great," he added.
"On Tuesday, there was a decision between Connor and Vinny and we were just trying to work that out.
"We knew Mason wouldn't be able to play the full game, but we wanted to make sure that we had enough attacking options."
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