VALE LINKED WITH MOVE FOR GLENAVON MIDFIELD UNDER-21 INTERNATIONAL

PORT Vale are being linked with a move for Glenavon midfielder Mark Sykes. BBC Sport Northern Ireland reports that talks are at an ‘advanced stage’ between the two clubs. The 21-year-old is a Northern Ireland under-21 international who has scored three goals in 19 games for Glenavon this season. Glenavon manager Gary Hamilton was asked about interest from Port Vale after his team’s 4-2 defeat to Cliftonville on Saturday. He told the BBC: “At the minute I don’t know too much about it. “There has certainly been a lot of interest in Mark and a bid was made about a week to 10 days ago. “That bid was rejected, but I haven’t spoken to the chairman today to know if a new bid has come in.” Hamilton told the Belfast Telegraph there have been lots of clubs watching Sykes. He explained: “Hibernian, Port Vale, Blackburn - I could reel them off. There have been loads of clubs watching. As of yet, we’ve only had one bid which was knocked back ten days ago.” Vale boss Neil Aspin has made no secret of the fact that he would like to strengthen his squad in January. He has said loan deals are in his sights but hasn’t ruled out a transfer. However, he hasn’t revealed his targets. ■ VALE have landed a home tie with Shrewsbury in the last 16 of the Checkatrade Trophy. The game against the League One side represents a tough obstacle for Neil Aspin’s side, but they will be pleased to have been drawn at Vale Park as they look to make the quarterfinals. A date for the game has yet to be announced. The Valiants earned their place in the last 16 with last Tuesday night’s 4-0 victory over Stoke City under-21s. Vale have made £70,000 from this season’s competition, having collected a £20,000 participation fee, £10,000 for each of their group wins and a further £20,000 for beating Stoke in the round of 32. Should Vale win their last 16 game they will earn a further £40,000 in prize money. Vale have won all four of their matches in this season’s trophy, having beaten Burton, Walsall and Middlesbrough under-21s in the group stages. The draw for the last 16 is split into North and South sections, but is no longer regionalised from the quarter finals onwards. Elsewhere in the Northern half of the draw we have: Sunderland v Newcastle under-21s; Accrington Stanley v Bury; and Oldham/rochdale v Manchester City under-21s. The Southern half of the draw is Southend v Portsmouth; Chelsea u-21s v Peterborough; Cheltenham v Oxford/ Spurs -u-21s and Northampton v Bristol Rovers. ■ DEFENDER Leon Legge, pictured, has revealed he is recovering after suffering four epileptic seizures last week. The 33-year-old, who was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 16, was taken to hospital in Liverpool and has spent the past week recovering at home. Legge, a summer recruit from Cambridge United, sat out the midweek Checkatrade Trophy game against Stoke City under21s and Saturday’s game at Morecambe. He revealed his plight in a Tweet to Port Vale fans. He said: “I am writing this statement just to let you know of my whereabouts. “On Sunday, the 2nd, I was taken to hospital for four epileptic seizures and have since been recovering at home all week. “The club and players have all been understanding, and I expect to be back in training next week.” Legge is an ambassador for the Young Epilepsy charity. He added: “I am on the full road to recovery and can’t wait to get back to training with the lads and doing what I love. “Epilepsy will not get the better of me. I will continue to be an ambassador for people with this condition.”