Defender keeping his fingers crossed for Saturday

There were a few happy smiling faces following the 3-1 win over Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, none more so than that of Vale defender Richard Duffy.

Slotting in at centre half at late notice after Liam Chilvers reported in with a stomach bug, Duffy impressed in that central defensive role and he has certainly given the manager food for thought ahead of the game against Crewe Alex this weekend.

Duffy said: “I didn’t come in expecting to play, but ‘Chilvs’ was sick and the gaffer told me I was playing, so it was great.

“I have been out of the team for a while and you are never happy when you are not playing but you are always going to come in with a smile on your face and train properly and do things right.

“I feel I have done that and because of a misfortune for somebody else that has meant I have got my chance.

“Nothing is set in stone who is going to play next week. ‘Chilvs’ has missed one game, I have come in and we have won but that doesn’t necessarily mean I will be playing against Crewe.

“If I do keep my place it will mean everything, that’s what we train for and we are paid to play football on a Saturday.

“Unfortunately I haven’t been doing that on a regular basis and that is what I want to do. If you ask any player who isn’t playing you get frustrated so when you do get your chance you want to take it.

“I have had a couple of chats with the manager about playing and he told me my chance would come and I would have to be patient.

“I have stayed patient and haven’t been any trouble, I have got on with it, trained hard and played in reserve games and I unexpectedly got the call on Saturday and enjoyed it.”