Grew confidnent young 'keeper will excel

Chris Neal could be out for up to eight weeks following the injury he suffered on Saturday against Tranmere Rovers, says Vale Mark Grew.

It is difficult to pinpoint the extent of the injury until the swelling goes down, but Vale Physio Andy Foster is of the opinion that it is unlikely that anything is broken.

Third choice ‘keeper Ryan Boot has been recalled from his loan spell with Worcester and will take up his place on the bench on Tuesday night against Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Sam Johnson will start the game, but Grew has no concerns about the 21-year-old ‘keeper after watching him play in seven firs team games earlier this season when Neal was out injured.

Vale Assistant Manager Grew said: “When he came on against Tranmere he duffed his first kick and everybody was looking, but then he’s made two good saves, he has taken a couple of crosses, he’s handled well and kicked well afterwards.

“We are not worried about Sam Johnson. We may have been a bit more concerned if he hadn’t played in those games earlier in the season, but he came in then and did well.

“I said to him after the game on Saturday, what’s bad for one is good for another and it gives him another opportunity to stake his claim.

“He is a lad that doesn’t get excited about anything. He might do away from here, but he is a laid back character, and he works very hard with Chris in training.”