Hancock facing six months out after knee surgery

Mason Hancock will have surgery on his knee and faces six months out

Walsall defender Mason Hancock is facing up to six months on the sidelines following a knee injury sustained in last week's League Two defeat by Grimsby.

Manager Mat Sadler confirmed the 22-year-old will undergo surgery on Friday and is facing a lengthy rehabilitation period which is likely to keep him out until the new year.

"Mason will be out for four to six months, something like that," Sadler told BBC Radio WM.

"It's a tough injury for him so we'll have to do without him for a little while.

"He will have his surgery on Friday and then it becomes a rehab period."

Hancock was one of two Saddlers players to suffer serious knee injuries against Grimsby, with forward Jonny Stuttle, on loan from Bournemouth, also facing a lengthy spell out.

Sadler was reluctant to give any prognosis for a player who has returned to his parent club but he was keen to express Walsall's gratitude for the way the Premier League side have handled the issue.

"I want to put on record how incredible Bournemouth have been," said Sadler.

"We treated Jonny how you would want [a loan player to be treated]. I just want to say that they have shown class in the situation."