'Working harder' - Vincent Harper ready to seize Walsall chance amid Mason Hancock injury

Harper, who arrived earlier this summer after two seasons at Exeter City, replaced the injured Mason Hancock during the Saddlers' 1-0 win over Salford City at Bescot.

The 24-year-old had only previously featured in Walsall's goalless draw at Stoke City on which ended in a 4-3 shoot-out defeat in the League Cup first round on August 12.

Hancock has been ruled out for "four to six months" with a dislocated knee and Harper came into the team to help Walsall register their first clean sheet of the season.

Harper: I've had to "work harder" out of the team

He said: "To be fair I was blowing, when you're not in the team, you've got to work almost harder because you're obviously missing out on the running in the match.

"But you've got to just do it in training. Obviously, there's training groups when you're not in the squad, so you've just got to just keep working hard and wait for your opportunity to come." 

The Kenyan-born star is poised to succeed Hancock at left wing-back for the coming weeks, although Courtney Clarke and Ronan Maher offer versatility in that position. 

Harper has developed a close friendship with Hancock since the pair joined in the summer and wished his teammate the best in his recovery. 

"I have an opportunity now"

But he is also eager to seize his chance in the team and become a key man in Hancock's absence.

"People might say there's a rivalry because me and Mason play the same position but we get on really well both on and off the pitch," he added. 

"Seeing him out is not great for him and it's not nice to see because he was a key player. 

"I have an opportunity to step-up now and do what Mace did and more to keep the shirt for when he is back."