MCKIRDY BACK IN THE VALIANTS FOLD FOLLOWING MILLS’ INJURY
PORT Vale have restored Harry Mckirdy to their squad after Zak Mills was forced out for the rest of the season through injury.
The Vale have secured permission from the EFL to include Mckirdy, who was one of three players left out of their 22-man squad at the end of January to comply with the league rules on squad numbers.
But after independent medical advice confirmed defender Mills was out for the remaining eight games, Vale took their case to the EFL and have been allowed to include Mckirdy in his place.
The move represents a dramatic change in fortune for Mckirdy. He signed on a free transfer in September but struggled to get a place in the side in the first half of the season and then seemed to be on his way out of the club when he was left out of the squad in January. But Darrell Clarke said earlier this month that he has been working with the 24-year-old forward and would have backed himself to get the best out of him had he been available for games.
He also included Mckirdy in the reserve friendly at home to Hereford last week when the versatile forward came off the bench to score in the 4-3 win.
Mckirdy was Carlisle’s top scorer with 11 goals in 2019/20 but was released at the end of the season and joined Vale after impressing on trial.
The Vale return to action on Friday when they are at home to Exeter City before travelling to Harrogate on Monday. Clarke’s side are up to 18th, nine points clear of the relegation zone after wins at home to Newport and away to Colchester and Crawley. Clarke could be tempted to stick with the same starting XI that featured in the last two games as Vale have moved to the brink of safety.