Port Vale recall Sam Hornby early – is he now in contention for the first-team?
Port Vale have opted to recall goalkeeper Sam Hornby from his loan spell at Chester FC.
Hornby was on loan for the remainder of the season and the Chester media have suggested that the move could be down to Hornby being in contention for Vale’s squad.
The youngster was first-choice for several weeks at the start of the season before being left out in favour of loanee Kelle Roos.
However, during his spell with the National League side Hornby has been regular first choice making 14 senior appearances.
Vale have been beset with goalkeeping problems for over a year and both Ryan Boot and Rob Lainton have been criticised for mistakes while in first-team action.
However, Lainton has also been beset with injury problems so Hornby’s recall could also be as cover in case the former Bury man picks up another injury.
Vale’s keeper woes – the 9 used in 12 months
Jak Alnwick
The former Newcastle United keeper started the year as the club’s undisputed number one until his move to Glasgow Rangers on January 30th.
Miguel Santos
The Portuguese stopper came on as a sub in the FA Cup match against Huddersfield after Alnwick was injured but left the club shortly afterwards.
Ryan Boot
With Alnwick injured and Santos departed, the youth team graduate was drafted in on the 20th January for his full debut but a somewhat shaky debut saw him immediately dropped.
Leo Fasan
Michael Brown instead opted to use loanee Leo Fasan who had been brought in on loan from Celtic. However, costly errors against Northampton in March saw him dropped for Deniz Mehmet.
Deniz Mehmet
The free agent was snapped up on the 1st March and was largely first choice until the end of the season when Vale were relegated.
Rob Lainton
The former Bury stopper started the season but was injured in the second game, a League Cup tie against Leeds.
Sam Hornby
The former Burton keeper made his debut as sub against Leeds but was dropped for emergency loan signing Kelle Roos.
Kelle Roos
The Derby keeper was brought in on an emergency loan when Rob Lainton’s injury was confirmed to be long-term.
Dimitar Evtimov
The Nottingham Forest man was drafted in at short notice when Roos was injured in training but was dropped after a disastrous debut.