INJURED YATES IS LIFTED BY VALE OFFER
PORT Vale full-back Adam Yates has been given a boost as he recovers from a horrific injury – in the shape of a new contract.
The 34-year-old suffered a fractured nose, cheekbones and eye sockets, as well as a broken upper jaw and wrist, in a sickening collision with a teammate in a reserve team game last month.
His current deal had been set to expire at the end of the calendar year, but he has now signed a new one through to the end of the season – contrary to reports that he was going to be released.
Yates was quick to thank manager Neil Aspin and chief executive Colin Garlick for offering the contract.
He said: “I am grateful to the manager, to Colin and to the owner to have shown faith in me, especially after what has been reported in the last few days.
“Obviously, as a player, when you suffer an injury, your first thought is the future, getting better and getting back playing.
“The club have offered me this chance, and I am massively grateful – especially given the situation I am in.
“I especially want to thank Dr Pete Grime and the staff at the University Hospital of North Midlands, as well as the people who picked me up in the ambulance.
“I have tried to find out who they are, but couldn’t.
“Thank you for helping me during my injury and getting me to where I am now.”
Aspin added: “My feelings are straight from when he got injured, not just because of what type of lad he is and as a professional I have a lot of respect for. I felt it was the right thing to do.
“I am really pleased the club took the decision to do that for Adam.”