Rumour: is Aston Villa manager considering recall for Port Vale loanee?
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith watched Port Vale loanee Mitch Clark plays for his U23 side this week, fuelling rumours that he may recall the defender.
Villa are allowed to play Clark in junior games and Smith took the opportunity to assess the defender’s performance in a match against Stoke City U23 after he recovered from a hamstring strain.
Clark played the first forty five minutes of the game watched by Smith and his coaching team.
The Birmingham Mail reports that Villa have a recall option in the deal which would allow Clark to return to his parent club in January.
Should Villa bring Clark back it would be a big blow for the Valiants who have seen a string of impressive displays from the Welsh player in a number of positions.
The 19 year-old was a near ever-present in the Vale team until he picked up a hamstring injury in late November. Clark made a playing return from the bench in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Cheltenham Town.