EVOLUTION NOT REVOLTION FOR CLARKE IN 2022

DARRELL Clarke is putting the focus on quality rather than quantity as he tweaks his Port Vale squad ready for League One. Clarke had an incredibly busy summer in 2021, just a couple of months after inheriting the squad. He released 16 players and brought in 12 to really put his stamp on the club – and then guided that new group to promotion from League Two via the play-offs.

This time around, only forward David Amoo, aged 31, has not been offered a new deal.

Vale are in talks with James Gibbons, Mal Benning and Jamie Proctor about new contracts and have triggered options to keep Nathan Smith and Aidan Stone for at least another 12 months. Clarke said: “We haven’t got so many players out of contract and we’ve got a real team spirit – and we’re up a division – so I certainly hope we’re in a better position than last year.

“There isn’t going to be that much of a turnover in players over the summer but obviously we’ll have to improve the squad.”

Clarke previously guided Bristol Rovers from League Two to League One, where he secured a top half finish in their first season up. That summer he only made two permanent signings, including taking Byron Moore from Port Vale, as well as completing six loan deals.

Vale have used the loan market again over the last few months. Lewis Cass, Ryan Edmondson and Kian Harratt in particular helped the squad get over the line and book a top seven finish and subsequent trip to Wembley. Full-back Cass, aged 22, has been offered a new contract at Newcastle United. Edmondson, aged 21, has returned to Leeds United where his long-term future remains unclear.

The ex-england youth international has previously had loan spells at Aberdeen, Northampton and Fleetwood Town.

Forward Harratt, aged 19, went back to Huddersfield and immediately agreed a long-term loan at Bradford City.