Injury boost for Vale as Tom Pope operation is a success
Tom Pope operation was a “success” while goalkeeper Rob Lainton has returned to training, the Port Vale medical department have announced.
Top-scorer Pope has been forced into surgery to heal a hernia problem.
The medical department tweeted that: “Tom Pope has successfully undergone a groin repair this evening in London. The surgeon is happy with the outcome and doesn’t foresee any issues with his rehabilitation.”
The Twitter account also mentioned that: “Antony Kay is Day 7 post-op and is progressing well. Kjell Knops is entering the final 8 weeks of his rehab Rob Lainton has returned to training.”
A smooth return to playing for Pope will be seen as crucial to Vale’s survival hopes while surely every Vale will be hoping that Dutch defender Kjell Knops returns to full fitness after his horror injury.
Lainton has lost his first-team place to Ryan Boot while Sam Hornby is also in the squad but the former Bury man has considerable more experience than that youngsters and his return will give Vale plenty of goalkeeping cover.