Pope: I’m not 100 per cent
Striker Tom Pope says he is still not fully fit but he is happy to play on to boost Vale’s fight against relegation.
Pope has struggled since missing several months of the season after ankle surgery but he told the Sentinel: “With the position we are in, it is all hands on deck and I want to be part of it. I will be trying the best I can to be available.”
I think it is obvious to everyone I am not 100 per cent and probably won’t be until the end of the season…
“I think it is obvious to everyone I am not 100 per cent and probably won’t be until the end of the season, but with the run we are on, I want to be part of things.
“Staying in the treatment room and saying I am not fit would be the coward’s way out. I want to be available whether I am 70, 80 or 100 per cent fit to do a job for my team.
“I have spoken to Rob and I understand he will do what he feels best for the team.
“If I am on the bench to give my ankle more time to recover then I won’t be pulling a face about it.
“Rob will do what is best for the team, but I won’t be going to his office to say I can’t play.”