Port Vale target loan trio for permanent summer moves

Port Vale manager John Askey has said the club are interested in permanent moves for loan trio Adam Crookes, Kyle Howkins and Mitch Clark.

All three loanees are out of contract in the summer and have expressed tentative interest in permanent moves to Vale Park.

However, Vale’s interest would be dependent on a successful takeover of the club – presumably by preferred bidder Synectics Solutions. Otherwise, owner Norman Smurthwaite has threatened to put the club into administration – a move which would surely scupper any attempt to bring the trio to the Potteries.

Although three of those are on loan, I am sure that the football club will be looking to secure the services of, if not all three, one or two of them…

The trio are expected to feature in a youthful Vale backline alongside homegrown Nathan Smith on Saturday and Askey told the media: “To have a back four with an average age of 21 play so well and look so solid bodes well. Although three of those are on loan, I am sure that the football club will be looking to secure the services of, if not all three, one or two of them.”

“But it was really pleasing because at that age it is not easy to play in League Two. You can see them coming on. I think Mitch Clark has come on leaps and bounds in these last few weeks. Adam has always been steady and has slotted in well at left back, and it will be interesting to see how Kyle does now.”