Vale full-back James Gibbons believes the arrival of Aston Villa loanee Mitchell Clark has provided him with some healthy competition, following the teenagers debut against Crawley Town.
The Villa loanee only arrived at Vale Park last Thursday, though Neil Aspin wasted no time getting the new lad involved, naming him in the starting 11 against Crawley Town last Saturday for the teenagers first ever start in the Football League.
Clark put in an assured performance on his Vale Park debut ensuring Aspin's side claim their second clean sheet of the season. Gibbo has heaped praise upon his new team-mate ahead of Tuesday night's away fixture at Carlisle United, believing the arrival can only boost his own performance.
He said: "It's a massive wake-up call, not just because of the fact it's big competition.
"He's come in from Villa, they're a good side and he's a good player so if he's playing well he's going to stay in the side - that's football.
"I've just got to do my best to try stay in the side."
Clark isn't the only player to impress Vale's youngster since the start of the season, as he sung the praises of former Cambridge United man, Leon Legge.
Aspin decided to leave out Nathan Smith last Saturday, who prior to the fixture had made over 100 consecutive starts for the Valiants, as Legge came in to make his first league start of the season. It was performance by Legge that earnt him a spot in this week's EFL Team of the Week.
Gibbons voiced how confident he felt with the commanding centre-back by his side, expressing just how important the experienced defender is for Aspin's side.
"I loved playing with Leggey Saturday, he's a vocal person and he helps me out.
"He's been around and provides so much experience - he's helped me out massively."