Port Vale boss Darren Moore has admitted he is open to signing another goalkeeper ahead of the new League One season to cover for the injured Ben Amos.
Amos, who was a regular in the second half of last season’s successful promotion campaign as Vale were promoted from League Two, is likely to be out for at least a few more weeks with a muscle injury.
It will take big boots whoever fills in for Amos as he managed an impressive 11 clean sheets in League Two last season. (Ben Amos – Career stats | Transfermarkt)
Since making his professional debut for Manchester United in 2008, Amos has gone on to rack up more than 300 professional appearances to his name across Premier League, Championship, League One levels amongst others.
The problem has meant that the 35 year old has missed all of pre-season, as former Cambridge keeper Marosi has filled in.
This leaves Port Vale with just Arron Davies as backup to the Slovakian and the 19 year old is still to make his senior debut for Port Vale. Moore has now admitted he could look into the loan market.
“The goalkeeper situation is one we’re looking at,” Moore told BBC Radio Stoke.
New Signings
Vale have brought in seven new signings this summer ahead of their return to League One.
Ex-Cambridge keeper Marosi, former Blackpool wing-back Jordan Gabriel, attacking midfielder Rico Richards, Walsall left-back Liam Gordon, midfielder Jordan Shipley, defender Cameron Humphreys and striker Ben Waine have all signed permanent contracts at Vale Park, leaving Moore more likely to utilise the loan market for any more potential recruits as he looks to make sure his squad is competitive enough to stay in League One.
“The loan window is a possibility, but it was imperative that we got a squad in first so loans would add, or top up, the team,” Moore said.
“We know the difficulties with getting loan players – they can be a wonderful help and transform your season.
“But, at the same time, they can be a huge hinderance – they do get called back [to their parent club] and leave a gaping hole.
“We have tried to get a squad, and if loan players come in, they are the icing on the cake. So if they do get called back it doesn’t disrupt the flow of the team.
“The squad’s here so maybe that’s an area we’ll look at.”
Three Suggestions
Karl Hein
Could we see Karl Hein turn up at Vale Park? the 23 year old sepnt last season on loan at Valladolid in Spain, where he kept 5 clean sheets in 32 games. Arsenal will be hoping for a Championship loan surely but could the timing of this be just right for Hein and for Vale?
Matt Cox
Brentford goalkeeper Matt Cox has already had a good loan spell at Bristol Rovers and he finished the end of last season at Crawley. With hardly any chance of getting into the Brentford side and having made over 30 appearances for Rovers, could a move to Port Vale appeal to him?
Cieran Slicker
This is the wildcard if you like, Ipswich keeper Cieran Slicker s yet to make a senior appearance for the Tractor Boys despite formerly being of Manchester City, however, everyone has to start somewhere, could he make a name for himself with the Valiants?
With Amos likely to take a while to get back into the swing of things, who would you like to see Vale sign on loan and why? Do you think the club need to make any more signings to be competitive or are the current new signings enough? Let us know in the comments!
