We are going to lose him – Port Vale prepare for life after Nathan Smith

Port Vale manager John Askey says the club expects to lose young defender Nathan Smith after interest in the out of contract star from clubs in higher divisions.

Smith is the only out of contract Port Vale player yet to commit himself to the Valiants.

My mindset is, that we are going to lose him and have to look around to try to get a replacement. I don’t want to be waiting and waiting…

Manager Askey told BBC Radio Stoke: “I suppose he just wants to see what is out there and try to prove himself at a higher level.

“We would have loved him to have stayed, and we think if he did stay then, as a football club, he could end up playing at a higher level… my mindset is, that we are going to lose him and have to look around to try to get a replacement. I don’t want to be waiting and waiting and then Nathan signs somewhere and we haven’t got somebody lined up.”