Port Vale confirm James Wilson is training with squad

Port Vale FC have confirmed that striker James Wilson is training with the squad in Spain just over two months after he “left” the Valiants.

A brief club statement confirmed that: “We can confirm that striker James Wilson travelled with the Valiants to Spain and is training with Andy Crosby’s squad as they continue preparations for the 2023/24 season. At present, no agreement is in place post-training camp and gives the club the opportunity to assess James and how he would work within the new set up. This allows James to get vital training and increase his fitness levels whilst he is currently without a club.”

Wilson departed the club on 15th May. He was one of several players offered a new contract by the club but turned it down and left. At time of writing he is without a new club and it appears that Vale are assessing him with an eye on possibly re-signing him to boost their currently threadbare striking resources.

The Valiants have strengthened in the goalkeeping, defence and midfield departments this summer but the departure of Wilson, Jamie Proctor’s release and the end of loan spells for Matty Taylor, Dan Butterworth, Dennis Politic and Mipu Odubeko leaves James Plant and Ellis Harrison as the club’s only senior forwards.

On his day Wilson’s inclusion would be a no-brainer. His footballing skills belong at a higher level than League One and he can be a game changer. That was in evidence with his run of form that culminated in Port Vale’s play-off final victory in 2022. However, Wilson’s fitness has been a constant concern with the forward making just 25 League appearances last season. Furthermore, Wilson typically needs a run of games to regain sharpness and a succession of injuries meant that when he did play last season, he was less effective.

The Valiants now have to weigh up the pluses of minuses of whether they should add a gifted locally-born and available talent with that of a forward who has suffered with injury issues throughout his career.