“Welcome him back with open arms” – Andy Crosby delighted to see Ikpeazu remain at Port Vale

Port Vale manager Andy Crosby says that Uche Ikpeazu’s attitude has been “great” since his move to Charlton Athletic broke down last week and the club will continue to play to the striker’s strengths.

Ikpeazu joined the Valiants as a free agent after a spell at Turkey was terminated early. It took the powerful some time to regain match fitness but his form in recent weeks has been impressive. The striker’s form was such that it caught the attention of League One rivals Charlton Athletic. Their subsequent bid triggered a release clause in the player’s contract but any move failed to materialise and Ikpeazu is still a Vale player.

Crosby told he local media: “There was interest in Uche from Charlton. A transfer fee which was in the (contract) was met by Charlton which enabled the player to go and speak to them and… for whatever reason that deal didn’t get concluded.”

However, the Vale manager is delighted to retain the player and praised his attitude adding: “We welcome him back with open arms. It was an interesting Monday morning when he came back and I’m sure you can imagine what the dressing room was like, but he’s been great this week.

“He’s really trying to embrace what we’re doing as a football club, we’ve almost given him that platform now to go and play and I think rebuild his career. Obviously he’s had a real disappointing time in Turkey. He’s got to that stage where he is fit and available and we have to utilise his strengths as a player which are obvious to us.”