Lost a fourth now – Darrell Clarke on Port Vale forwards injury crisis
Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke says that an injury to David Amoo may leave Devante Rodney as the club’s only fully fit striker.
Clarke was speaking after the Valiants’ dramatic 2-1 FA Cup win over Burton Albion. The Vale have already suffered long-term injuries to Jamie Proctor, James Wilson and George Lloyd and saw David Amoo limp off during the Burton game. Sub Dennis Politic, who was not fully fit, scored twice to win the game.
We will have to adapt. If that means playing with no centre forward, we will have to do it…
Clarke commented: “I am a bag of nerves at the minute because we have got a lot of injuries at the top end of the pitch. We lost David Amoo and Dennis (Politic) is only 70 per cent fit. One of the reasons he didn’t start the game is he came off injured against Rotherham.
“He took a penalty with his left foot yesterday because of his right groin. So, we are certainly suffering at the top end. Dennis is a tremendous talent but I just can’t afford to risk so many of my forward thinking players having already lost three centre forwards – and it looks like I have lost a fourth (Amoo) now.
“So I am trying to tread as carefully as I can.
“I am sure supporters will be saying why is he (Politic) not starting. I get that but I have to be careful. We have a league campaign , we have game after game coming up, we have the Christmas period and, unless someone is opening the transfer window a little early, we are going to have to manage one or two.
“We will find a way, it is up to me and my coaching staff to find those ways. To be fair, it is testament to the group. That is why we don’t build 11 players at this club, we build a squad.
“We will have to adapt. If that means playing with no centre forward, we will have to do it.”