Walsall defender Oliver Lancashire ruled out until the New Year

Walsall defender Oliver Lancashire was today ruled out until the New Year after suffering a hamstring tear.

The Saddlers are also sweating on the fitness – ahead of tomorrow's trip to Chesterfield – of Manny Smith after the centre-back was knocked unconscious against Dagenham on Tuesday.

Lancashire suffered a grade one hamstring tear in the FA Cup penalty shoot-out exit to the Daggers and boss Dean Smith admitted they feared the worst.

He said: "It looks like he's got a grade one hamstring tear, so it's three or four weeks. Hopefully, it's shorter rather than longer. We feared it was going to be a bigger tear than it was.

"He'd been keeping the captain out of the team – along with Manny – which is good for the manager because it shows they must be performing.

"Andy Butler will come in now and lead the team and look to cement his place again."

Defender Smith is fighting to be fit for the League One basement clash tomorrow, after being kicked in the face and knocked out against the Daggers , while Kevan Hurst is out with a heel injury.

Boss Smith said: "Manny is very doubtful. He's got a massive gash on his mouth, he lost a tooth which he's had put back in and his gum got bent back, so they have had to brace that up as well. It was a horrendous injury.

"He's a doubt, because we're not sure if we can get a gumshield or not. He's fine in himself, he's not had any headaches, but I'm not sure he'll make it."