BEN BIDS TO TAKE CHANCE UNDER ASKEY...
PORT Vale forward Ben Whitfield is hoping that a return to full fitness and a new manager at the helm will bring fresh opportunities for him in the first team.
The 22-year-old found chances hard to come by under the rule of Neil Aspin but is hoping that the appointment of John Askey will breathe new life into his prospects.
Vale appointed former Macclesfield and Shrewsbury manager Askey at the beginning of February and Whitfield sees the new appointment as not just an opportunity for himself, but one that could give the entire squad a boost.
“Under the old manager, I was in and out quite a bit,” said Whitfield.
“The new gaffer has spoken to me already and given me some things to work on, which is good, and I like that, I need things to improve on.
“I have aspects of my game that I can work on in training and hopefully now I can push on and get a good run in the team and have a good end to the season.
“You have always got a chance of playing when a new manager comes in. It is a fresh start for everyone.
“You have to take your chance on a Saturday when you get it.”
The former Bournemouth man has already been reintroduced to the team by Askey, having come off the bench at Cambridge last week, with injury problems now also in his rear-view mirror.
Vale went down 1-0 against the U’s in Askey’s first match in charge.
“I have been out for a few weeks with my knee ligament but it has all healed now and it was good to be back,” he said.
“I feel good and hopefully now I can get myself in the team and get a good run of games under my belt.”