Luke Hannant insists that he has really developed as a footballer since he arrived at Vale Park back in the summer of 2017, but he wants to continue improving to repay the faith shown in him by Neil Aspin.

Having worked under the manager before during his time at Gateshead, Hannant is very grateful for the support he has received, and he wants to push on during the second half of the season.

On his time at Vale so far, the midfielder said: “The last year has been really positive. Getting my first spell in the Football League, I feel like I’ve had a solid 12 months.

“This year has been quite steady so far in terms of results with some good and bad ones, but at the halfway point of the season, I’d say it’s been okay.

“I feel like I’ve improved massively from this time last year and I’m trying to get better every game. You have to work hard in training and focus on your weaknesses, and I feel like I’m doing that at the moment.

“Neil Aspin has been my only manager in professional football and I feel like I’ve been able to play well under him. He’s put a lot of trust in me as I have with him too.

“He’s played me in positions that have allowed me to express myself, and coming here to Vale as well, he gave me an opportunity which I’d like to think I’ve taken.

“I’m quite versatile and I know I can do a job in several roles, but he’s played me in a few positions that have allowed me to get forward and that’s paid off because I’ve got a few goals.”

With his current contract expiring at the end of the 2018/19 campaign, Hannant has been asked on numerous occasions whether or not he will commit to staying at Vale Park, and he is adamant that he’s happy.

Having been an ever-present in the starting line-up so far this term, the 25-year-old has impressed the Valiants faithful, becoming a favourite amongst many supporters.

Despite the ongoing speculation about his future, Hannant is keen to ensure his focus is on this weekend’s trip to Macclesfield Town in Sky Bet League Two, but he has hinted that he is open to negotiating a new deal.

“I’m happy here at Port Vale and I’m playing well under the gaffer,” he said.

“The fans have been really good to me and I’m settled in the area too, so if something came up about a contract in the next few months, I’d be happy to talk about it.

“We are taking a fair number of fans to Macclesfield so it will be another good atmosphere to play in. 

“We know they’ve had a couple of decent results recently and Sol Campbell has changed it a bit, but we’re not on a bad run ourselves.

“We’re scoring goals, but we just need to work on a few things and hopefully we can do that in training so that it shows on Saturday.”