Newcastle Utd and Port Vale will be keen for Cass development
Port Vale bolstered their defence for the 2021/22 campaign with the signing of Lewis Cass from Newcastle United on loan until the end of the season. Cass was allowed to leave the Magpies on loan for the second time in two years after a successful stint at Hartlepool United in the last campaign.
James Russell writes…
The 21-year-old played a significant role in Pools’ promotion to League Two through the playoffs. Cass’ hopes of a future at Newcastle appear to be slim given that he has failed to make a single appearance in the senior team. Steve Bruce appears to be well-stocked in the defensive third of the pitch with Federico Fernandez, Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark in place for the 2021/22 campaign.
More bad news for #Pools 😩
Look to have missed out on re-signing Lewis Cass on loan from #NUFC. He’s currently having a medical at another League Two club.
A number of EFL and SPL clubs, including #Pools were looking to secure the defender’s services. pic.twitter.com/ySzZa6TmbN
— Dominic Scurr (@DomScurr) July 12, 2021
Newcastle will be in a battle to remain in the Premier League once again, and they may have one eye on the future of Cass should the unthinkable occur and the club are relegated from the top flight. Most Premier League predictions are backing Bruce’s men to be in a battle at the bottom, especially after their late escape last season. The Magpies have an ageing squad and may need to cultivate their own talent sooner rather than later.
Bruce and his coaching staff will have a keen eye over the performances of Cass at the Vale. He should be in contention for a start in Darrell Clarke’s backline from day one given the standard of his performances last term. The Vale are in need of an improvement at the back, which saw them drop perilously close to relegation last season. Clarke galvanised his team with a nine-match unbeaten run, winning eight games in the process. However, his team were too far off the pace at that point to compete for a top-six place.
The club scored 57 goals, but also shipped 57 at the back. Their record was much worse before Clarke got his hands on the rearguard and tightened his team up. Cass should only help matters due to his versatility and the fact he helped Hartlepool boast one of the best defensive records in the National League. The Vale have also signed Dan Jones, Aaron Martin, Ryan Johnson and Mal Benning in a major defensive rebuilding programme which provides plenty of options across the back. It’s fair to say that Clarke will have a nice selection headache should each of the signings succeed.
However, Newcastle will be keen to see Cass play on a weekly basis and Hartlepool would no doubt would have wanted to see the 21-year-old return to Victoria Park. Regardless of that interest, the Magpies opted to send him out on loan to broaden his horizons in Staffordshire and will be keen to see development from the young defender. The Tynesiders have not enjoyed a great run of success through their academy. Matty and Sean Longstaff have made the leap to the first team, but other candidates have been few and far between.
Cass has shown minor steps, but Bruce and his staff will be anxious to see how he fares in League Two. Therefore, Cass’ performances will be not only important for the Vale, but also for his parent club next season.
