Vale still waiting for the swelling to go down before they can assess the extent of the injury

The Club are waiting for the swelling to go down before they can fully assess the extent to Chris Neal’s ankle injury sustained early in the pre-season game against Notts County on Tuesday evening.

August is not yet known, but Assistant Manager Paul Bodin has every confidence in Sam Johnson should Vale’s first choice not make it.^thWhether or not the ‘keeper will be fit to start in Vale’s opening League fixture on 8

back and the swelling goes down a bit we won’t know the extent of the injury. He said: “Chris went over on his ankle early in the game against Notts County and there is still a fair bit of swelling, but until we get the all of the results

“It would obviously be a big blow if he doesn’t make it for the start of the season, but at the same time it is an opportunity for Sam.

“Rob has gone on record saying that it is a great opportunity. He is an experienced ‘keeper, he has played twenty odd games so he’s not making his debut or coming in as a novice.

“We have got a lot of faith in big Sam - he and Ryan Boot are working exceptionally hard with the goalkeeping coach and they have come on leaps and bounds.

“Hopefully, if he gets the opportunity, Sam will grasp it with both hands, that’s what competition is all about.

“But we haven’t gone into great detail with Chris. We have to let the swelling settle down. He is having some early treatment and it is a day by day situation. We will keep assessing it day by day.