Lewis Cass return is a defensive boost for Port Vale

Port Vale assistant manager Andy Crosby says that Lewis Cass is back in training after recovering from concussion suffered during Port Vale’s away victory over Forest Green Rovers.

The defender fell on his neck after going up for an aerial challenge and left the pitch on a stretcher.

Andy Crosby told the media: “The incident happened right in front of us and you could see straight away it was an horrific landing. Their bench aren’t looking at the welfare of our player, they are looking at a counter attack, so I get their reaction, but it looked horrendous. Luckily the fourth official decided to tell the referee that there was a major problem.

“Credit to our medical guys because Lewis was knocked out, he was initially unconscious. So, their initial treatment was the right one.

“He trained partly with us on Tuesday, non-contact, to come through the protocol. He is fine, he had a really bad whiplash injury. My initial reaction to the fall was it looked really bad. Credit to (medical staff) Mike and Greeny for their initial reaction, getting on the pitch as quickly as they did.

“I am not sure the fourth official was too happy when our two medical staff were running on the pitch but it looked that serious and their instinct then takes over. The repercussions don’t really matter, it is about Lewis’s welfare, credit to those two guys for getting on.”