Andy Crosby grateful for International break as a chance to “work on fitness of some players”
Port Vale manager Andy Crosby says the International break could be beneficial to the club as it gives some players a rest and others the chance to recuperate from injury.
The Valiants’ game against Fleetwood Town at the weekend was postponed due to International call-ups which means Vale won’t return to action until the 21st October. Crosby has a mounting list of players currently unavailable and he’ll be hoping the break gives a chance for some of them to return to action. The injury list includes Tom Conlon, Ryan Loft, Conor Grant and possibly James Wilson, who limped off on Tuesday, while Uche Ikpeazu, Dan Jones and Jesse Debra are all still building up fitness levels.
It also gives a few players a well deserved rest. Hopefully by the time the next games come around we may have a slightly inflated group…
Crosby commented: “I haven’t (got an update on Wilson’s condition). I think it’s a calf (injury). I hope it’s nothing serious. We’ll assess that. We’re now going into a break from League action it gives us ten/eleven days to continue to work on the fitness of some players. It also gives a few players a well deserved rest. Hopefully by the time the next games come around we may have a slightly inflated group.”
Reflecting on Vale’s penalty shootout win over Newcastle Utd U21 Crosby added that he was: “Immensely proud of the whole football club tonight we finished off that game with five academy players. It’s great for the football club that we’re managing to blood the young players in this competition. Jack (Shorrock) and Rhys (Walters) will learn from that penalty experience (they both had spot-kicks saved) as well.”
However, the Vale manager was critical of the physical approach of the opponents saying: “There were some challenges out there that were bordering on reckless. Well done for our players for not reacting to that.”
There was also a word of praise for goalscorer Jesse Debrah, who bounced back from a red card in the League to score Vale’s goal. Crosby said: “A great learning night for him. Sixty minutes tonight continues his fitness development. ”
Watch the full interview