Port Vale: Adams captures Jake Speight at second attempt
PORT Vale have signed striker Jake Speight at the second attempt and thrown him straight into their squad for today's cross-border derby against Crewe.
The 25-year-old could figure on the bench after completing his loan signing in time for this afternoon's big clash at Vale Park (3pm).
He leaves Bradford just four months after joining in a £25,000 move from Mansfield.
And Micky Adams admits he would have bid for Speight in the summer had there been the funds to do a deal.
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"Jake had a good scoring record in the Blue Square Premier (17 in 33 appearances for Mansfield), plus he is quick and will offer good competition for our strikers," said Adams. "We had him watched last season and we were interested in him the summer.
"He's fallen out of favour at Bradford under Peter Taylor and hasn't started many games for them, so we'll have to see how he gets on. But Jake can help us because we haven't scored enough goals lately."
Speight, who has scored once in five starts and eight substitute appearances this season, angered Taylor by not informing him of a July court appearance after being charged with assault following an incident in February.
He was convicted and served one week of a 12-week jail sentence, but was then released on appeal after his prison term was suspended for 18 months. He was ordered to do 100 hours of community service instead.
Speight, who counts Sheffield United and Bury among his former clubs, will become the 1,000th player to play for Vale in the Football League if he features today.
Meanwhile, Vale have been handed a further boost after Adams hinted he is ready to commit his future to the club.
The board have approached the manager over extending his existing deal, which expires at the end of the 2011/2012 campaign.
Adams agreed to put talks on hold, but added: "I have a good relationship with the board and I've always appreciated their honesty. After our initial chat the ball is back in their court.
"We're only at an early stage, so I haven't been offered a new deal – though I've never said I wouldn't consider one.
"I'm happy for further talks to be put to one side for now, but that doesn't mean I'm stalling on anything."
Yates grateful for Gresty Road exit: Page 62
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