Mitchell Clark could be on his way out of Aston Villa next summer after picking up a calf injury during his loan spell with Port Vale. The 19-year-old spent time sidelined with a hamstring injury in late-November and will now be absent for a period due to his calf problem. Clark had impressed on loan at Vale Park so his latest setback is a major blow.
As per the Stoke Sentinel, Vale manager Neil Aspin said in the aftermath of his side’s 3-0 defeat to Colchester: “When things are going against you, they certainly do go against you. Mitch Clark went off with his calf. So, all round, you can’t dress it up, it has been a really disappointing day.”
Clark had been doing well with Vale, but his Villa future is still in doubt. The right-back is out of contract next summer but is yet to sign a new deal. With James Bree, Alan Hutton and Ahmed Elmohamady for competition in defence, Clark doesn’t stand much of a chance of featuring. He’s still only young, but the lack of movement in regard to his contract may be telling.
Vale are a struggling League Two side, so his upturn in form isn’t a guarantee that he can shine in the Championship in the future. Such thinking may be behind the club’s decision not to extend his deal just yet. Time will tell.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Opinion: Aston Villa won’t sign 21-year-old in January despite reports
