Michael Brown says Ryan Boot may start if Jak Alnwick is unfit
Port Vale caretaker manager Michael Brown has said that Ryan Boot is the “number two” goalkeeper to first choice Jak Alnwick.
Alnwick is doubtful after suffering an ankle injury in the FA Cup defeat to Huddersfield Town. Miguel Santos replaced Alnwick during the game but he has now left the club by mutual consent.
As it stands now we have Ryan Boot and young Harry Pickering and we will see where we head with that…
However, Brown said that Boot was the club’s recognised number two goalie and that Santos was only on the bench because the club wanted to give Boot some game time through a loan spell. Ironically, despite Vale’s plans Boot made no appearances for Macclesfield Town.
Brown told the Sentinel: “Miguel couldn’t settle and was homesick, but Bruno knew Miguel was third choice. We had to try to get Ryan some games but we knew he was always going to be number two.
“But Miguel was good cover while we tried to get Ryan some football. But Ryan is back so Miguel felt like he wanted to go home and go somewhere else and we have facilitated that.
“As it stands now we have Ryan Boot and young Harry Pickering and we will see where we head with that.”
Vale’s other goalkeeper, Sam Johnson, is unable to be recalled from his loan spell at FC Halifax as it is a half-season loan and new rules prevent a parent club recalling their player.