‘IF WE GET SHAUN IT’D BE ANOTHER GOOD SIGNING...’

SHAUN Brisey’s agent says he is hopeful of agreeing a deal to keep the defender at Port Vale. Brisley impressed last season when he got his chance, having had to be patient because of the excellent form of Vale’s regular centre-back pairing of Leon Legge and Nathan Smith.

His agent, Phil Sproson, says another club has shown an interest but talks with Vale have been encouraging. He said: “Hopefully we are close. There’s an understanding from both sides about the other side’s position and I am hopeful we can come to an agreement that is comfortable for Port Vale and comfortable for Shaun.”

Brisley, below, joined Vale on a free transfer last summer after he was released by Notts County. He initially had to settle for Trophy games but got a run in the first team when Nathan Smith was injured at Swindon in January. He stayed in the side until suffering a knee injury at Walsall at the end of February, but had done enough to impress by then. Speaking earlier this week, manager John Askey said the 30-year- old defender was understandably rusty when he first got a chance in the first team, but quickly showed his quality.

He said: “Shaun did really well. When Nathan was out we didn’t miss him. I think everybody thought we would, but he picked his game up pretty quickly.

“He had been out for a long time but after that game, which he needed, he did really well and played as well as anybody,

“He is a good age for a centre back.

“I think if we could get Shaun it would be another good signing.”