The local lad suffered an injury blow just days after signing at Vale Park which has seen him side-lined for the opening weeks of the 2018/19 season, though the new-boy finally made his debut on Saturday.

Conlon signed for Vale this summer following a successful pre-season, where the young midfielder impressed against the likes of Blackpool during his brief trial period with the club.

Having now overcome the extensive thigh injury, Conlon was handed his debut on Saturday at The New Lawn and is now looking to ‘kick-on’ wherever he is asked to play.

He said: “It felt really good – it’s been a long time coming having picked up the injury, it’s been frustrating.

“Now that I’m finally here and finally fit to make my debut, it’s a really good feeling and I really want to kick on now.”

Though the midfielder prefers to play in a more central role, Conlon made his debut on the left hand-side of the midfield and has expressed that at this moment in time, all he cares about is getting out on the pitch.

“I’ll play anywhere – as long as I’m playing I really don’t mind.

“I enjoyed linking up with Luke. He’s not a left-back either but I think he did really well today.

“You’ve just got to crack on with it – you can easily sulk, but you don’t get anywhere, and the manager won’t be happy with you."

Having expressed his desire to play in a more central role, the Vale debutant welcomes the competition for a place in the centre of the midfield believing it can only improve the squad.

Manny Oyeleke made his return from injury against Forest Green Rovers, providing that much more competition for the local-lad, as well as battling it out with the experienced Luke Joyce for a place in the heart of the midfield but the new-boy believes it is only positive.

“I think the competition’s good, it makes you play to the top of your game.

“With Manny coming back who’s been injured and he’s had a frustrating start, but I thought he did really well today and Joycey obviously, he knows this league inside-out.

“He’s another one that’s really good. I think it’s positive, competition in training and reserve matches can only help us.”