O’Neil is latest youngster to be tipped for the top
Mark Grew has suggested that Development Squad prospect Gary O’Neil could be the latest youngster to push for a place in the Port Vale first-team squad.
The Valiants have been boosted by the dramatic rise of striker Jordan Hugill who has progressed from working as a barman last season to scoring his first senior goal against Shrewsbury Town.
Meanwhile, winger Wilson Carvalho is gaining experience with Hemel Hempstead Town, winger Ryan Lloyd has been on loan at Tamworth and goalkeeper Ryan Boot has had a try-out with Premier League outfit Fulham’s youth team.
However, it is 19 year-old O’Neil that Grew has tipped to push for the first-team with Vale’s assistant manager telling the official website: “Gary O’Neil is coming back now. We expected big things from him at the start of the season but he had that bad injury – he is starting to look good and he will be pushing the midfield players.”
So, who is Gary O’Neil?
The former skipper of the Wolves youth team, O’Neil joined Port Vale in the summer as a member of the ten-man development squad.
He played in numerous summer friendlies including those against Norton Utd, Newcastle Town, Athlone and Leicester City before he picked up an injury.