Walsall target EFL Trophy response as Mason Hancock update provided

The left-back, who had started all but one of the Saddlers’ 13 games, picked up a knock prior to the 3-1 FA Cup defeat at League Two rivals Newport County on Saturday.

Hancock to be ‘assessed’ after Walsall setback

On his condition, head coach Grant revealed: “Of course, if he’s not starting the game and he was down to start on the sheet, there’s a problem. We don’t know the extent of it.

“He was desperate to try and play; I had a good chat with him, and I’ve had a good chat with him since and he’s said to me, ‘it was a good call gaffer, because I probably felt something more than what the adrenaline was allowing me to feel before the game’.

“I could see that there was a problem, he voiced that, and it was the right decision – post-game, we’re certain now we took the right decision.

“That’s going to need to be assessed; doubtful he’s going to play for us on Tuesday.

“The Barnet game being off probably helps us in that sense as well.”

James Furlong stepped into the breach following Hancock’s injury for just his fourth start in all competitions.

Grant commented on Furlong’s performance: “Definitely not underprepared and definitely not cold. That’s why players are warming up well, that’s why players train and that’s why players listen in meetings when they’re not starting.

“So James came in, acquitted himself well [and] had some good moments.

“Of course, when you’re part of a backline that concedes three goals, I’m pretty sure he’ll go home with some disappointment around those goals that we conceded.

“But for James himself, a great opportunity now, so I’m looking forward to seeing how he carries that on.”

Grant has made 11 changes in each of the opening two group games in the EFL Trophy, but could field a stronger team following the postponement of their league fixture against Barnet on Saturday.

Plus, Walsall have the incentive of reaching the knockout stages of this competition for the third season in a row.

A win against Leicester, who are locked on three points with them, would guarantee progression, while a draw and winning the bonus point by winning the shoot-out would also be enough to reach the last 32.

“It means that we have less of an eye on the weekend ahead and managing the squad in what would’ve been a really tough Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday,” Grant added.

“The squad will be used, as we’ve shown up to this point, but absolutely everybody ready to play.”

He continued: “Why not? They’re really good, it’s going to be hard, but we’ve been there before this season at Bristol City.

“We’ve done incredibly well against Leyton Orient. So that’ll be the goal – the group know they’ve got that in the tank.

“It’s an opportunity to go and put that on display again.”