by Steve Shaw

PORT Vale have been dealt a blow with the news that loanee Damien McCrory will return to his parent club Plymouth in the new year.

The Irish left-sided player has made a big impact since arriving on loan from the Championship side in early October, making 14 appearances for the club.

Vale boss Dean Glover had hoped to extend his stay in Burslem beyond tomorrow, when his current loan spell expires.

However, with McCrory’s 12-month deal at Plymouth due to run out at the end of the season, he will now head back to Home Park.

Glover said: “Damien’s gone back because Plymouth want to evaluate his progress because his contract’s up in the summer.

“They may want him to play at a higher level, but first and foremost they want to assess him.

“It’s a blow to us because he’s done exceptionally well and he has been a good lad to work with.”

Glover added that the club were unlikely to try to fill the void left by McCrory’s absence in the January transfer window, leaving left-siders Paul Edwards, Rob Taylor and Lee Collins to fight for a starting birth.