Injuries at the back for Vale
Manager Micky Adams has been left with a decision to make after watching two trialists feature in the 1-1 draw with Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough.
Defenders Paul Reid and Mathias Doumbe were paired together in the centre of the defence from the start against the Harriers and Adams was impressed with both players.
Afterwards Adams told Valiant Player: “I thought they both did really well, Reid got 90 minutes and Matty (Doumbe) got 60 minutes, he’s had very little training but showed his experience, both fitted into the squad very nicely."
Despite limited training over the summer since his release from MK Dons, trialist Doumbe looked assured at the back and Micky Adams is confident the former MK Dons and Plymouth Argyle defender would suit Vale.
“At 33-years-old, he showed a decent turn of pace and showed all his experience at times and he’s had a full season last year at MK Dons in the league that we’re in so it wouldn’t faze him joining Port Vale,” Adams explained.
Despite the 90 minutes proving a valuable exercise for Vale, two players, notably full-backs picked up injuries.
Daniel Jones withdrew from the first-half with a slight thigh injury, while right-back Richard Duffy also took a knock at the start of the second-half.
Defenders Adam Yates, Liam Chilvers and Joe Davis are also suffering from minor knocks and Adams admits it’s a bit of problem.
“We’ve picked up injuries to both full-backs that we started with tonight and you add that to Adam Yates, it’s a problem for us at the moment, but we don’t know how serious all of them injuries are going to be," he said.
“We are going to assess them over the next 24-hours and take it from there.”
With two weeks to go until the season opener against Brentford at Vale Park, Adams is happy with how pre-season is progressing and explained how the training intensity will lessen as the season approaches.
“We’ve had a tough few days and we’ve equipped ourselves very well.
“Tonight you could see a little bit more sharpness in their play, we’ll start tapering the training and they will be ready come August 3.”
Watch the full interview with Adams on Valiant Player