ASKEY UNLIKELY TO DABBLE IN THE MARKET BEFORE DEADLINE
NEVER say never, but Port Vale are unlikely to add to their squad before tomorrow’s 5pm transfer deadline.
Vale already have 22 players aged over 21, the maximum permitted under the new EFL rules agreed by clubs in the summer.
Clubs can have as many players as they want on their books, but have to name a squad next week with a maximum of 22 players aged over 21, and can only select their team from that squad until the transfer window reopens in January.
Mitch Clark, Alex Hurst and Ryan Campbell-gordon don’t count towards the limit as all are 21 or under.
Manager John Askey said: “We are up to our maximum regarding the squad, so unless it was somebody under the age of 22 then we wouldn’t really be able to get anybody in.”
Vale could look to get Hurst out on loan, although he is part of their plans for now, partly because David Amoo is still recovering from a hamstring injury but also because Hurst has impressed in training and games.
If he is loaned out to a non-league club, that deal could still be done after Friday’s transfer deadline.
The manager added: “With the players we have got out, we are keeping Alex with us at the moment. He has done well and again he is under 21 so doesn’t count as a squad member.”
Hurst joined Vale from Bradford Park Avenue in the summer of 2019 and was loaned back out to the National League North club last season.
But the 20-year-old has done well in his first-team games this season, playing in the Trophy matches against Wigan and Tranmere and the Carabao Cup match at Fleetwood.
Vale have already done some transfer business this week with Dan Trickett-smith going to his old club Leek Town on loan until January.
Vale go into Saturday’s home game with Salford 12th in the table following the 1-0 defeat at home to Carlisle.
Nathan Smith is available after missing the last three games because he was isolating after a family member tested positive for Covid-19.
He has been training all week and is likely to come straight back into the side to resume his central defensive partnership with captain Leon Legge.
Midfielder Manny Oyeleke could also be in contention after training all week having missed the last three games with a muscle strain.
Meanwhile Amoo and Zak Mills are making good progress from hamstring injuries but this weekend’s game is likely to come too soon for them.
Co-owner Paul Scholes is temporarily in charge of the Salford team after the club sacked manager Graham Alexander following the 2-2 draw at home to Tranmere. Salford, who are among the title favourites, are fourth and unbeaten after five league games.