Walsall's Mason Hancock set to miss "4 to 6 months" with dislocated knee

Hancock went down early in the second half during the Saddlers' 1-0 home defeat against Grimsby Town on Tuesday and had to be stretchered off the pitch. 

The 22-year-old, who arrived from Scottish Championship side Airdrieonians earlier in the summer, will undergo surgery on Friday next week. 

Sadler confirmed he will then begin his rehabilitation, with the Walsall boss hopeful he will be able to make his comeback during the second half of the season.

Mason Hancock set for lengthy Walsall absence

"Mason will be out for four to six months. It's a tough injury for him so we'll have to do without him for a little while," Sadler revealed.

"He will have his surgery on Friday. He was at the game today and then it'll become a rehab then.

"With Mason, I think he dislocated his knee during that period. It would be stupid of me to try and give you the medical stuff off the back of that. 

"But the outcome is that he dislocated his knee. He'll have a surgery on that and then the rehab. 

"We look forward to him being in the second half of the campaign for us. Give him the rehab he needs and I thought Vincent [Harper] did great today. 

"If it's a six-month injury then I'd back him to be back sooner than that because his attitude is incredible so we'll look after him." 

Hancock registered one assist in four appearances for Walsall in League Two prior to his injury, as Vincent Harper replaced him to make his league debut in their 1-0 win over Salford City on Saturday. 

Jonny Stuttle was also recalled from his loan by AFC Bournemouth this week, after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury, also against Grimsby. 

Daniel Kanu was quickly brought in on loan from Charlton Athletic and made his Walsall bow from the bench on the weekend.