Jerome Thomas Talks Assists and Injuries

Vale are on the road again this weekend, this time making the trip to The Valley to face Charlton Athletic.

It will be the first time that Vale have made the trip down south to Charlton since 2001 in a League Cup game.

Vale come into the game on the back of a 2-1 win against Fleetwood Town at Vale Park.

In the game, winger Jerome Thomas created two of the goals with some fine work, but Jerome insists it’s not all he does for the team.

“That’s my job to assist, although when you come watch a full game, you might see me do work for the team working back and passing through balls and playing nice football.

“But, at the end of the day all people see when they see highlights is who assists and who scores, so it was good to get them, but it’s only a good feeling when the team wins.” 

The winger had been out of the side before his return at the end of October for four games.

He missed the clash with Mansfield Town, MK Dons, Sheffield United and the reverse fixture with Charlton.

With his skill and pace down the wing, Thomas has come in for his fair share of fouls in games which haven’t helped with injuries, but Jerome is aware of what faces him in the games.

“It’s part and parcel, especially at my age and the way I’m twisting and turning I get kicked around every game.

“The amount of fouls I’m getting is a lot so it takes its toll on the body, but touch wood the physio James Rowland has been great with me.

“Smudger (Andy Smith) and the gaffer (Bruno Ribeiro) have also been superb managing me well and looking after me and all looking towards the same common objective of looking after me and getting out there and playing.”