Port Vale manager confirms striker’s heel injury
Manager Darrell Clarke says that striker Devante Rodney is suffering from a possible infected heel which will keep him out of action for a further week.
Rodney served a three match suspension for an injury against Swindon Town but has not been involved in the Valiants side since serving his ban.
The omission has lead to speculation about the striker but Clarke told BBC Radio Stoke: “Give you an update on Devante’s situation – it’s his heel. We think it was an infection because he trained for two weeks and then it has blown right up so we’re hoping he might be available next week (against Colchester).”
Rodney’s return could be welcome as Vale’s forward depth has been tested in recent games. Clarke revealed that Jamie Proctor, replaced at half-time against Barrow, has missed training after being injured against Sutton United. Clarke said: “Proc missed a couple of days earlier in the week with stomach/groin complaint, that’s why he came off last week but the scan results were good on that so that’s a positive.”
Loanee George Lloyd was also missing from the squad after “being ill for the last couple of days.”
However, despite those injury concerns, Vale still have strength in depth. James Wilson put in a hard working display on Saturday while Dennis Politic made a goalscoring introduction as a sub, David Amoo has been scoring goals in friendly games and Rodney’s potential return will also help boost Clarke’s striking options.