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.
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