Port Vale: Calvin Andrew pledges to thrill the fans

CALVIN Andrew arrived at Port Vale yesterday with a pledge to score goals and thrill the fans.

The 25-year-old striker is also looking forward to an exciting new challenge after signing an initial two-month deal.

Andrew has been without a club since being released by Championship side Crystal Palace in the summer.

But the 6ft 2in frontman says he has kept himself fit and is now keen to show supporters what he can do in a bid to earn a longer contract.

"I think I'll do well here and score a lot of goals," said the Luton-born player.

"I'm a pacy striker, I'm strong, I hold the ball up well, I can play in behind and go past people. I think I'll be quite exciting for the fans.

"I'll certainly give 100 per cent, there'll be a lot of enthusiasm and determination and hopefully a lot of success."

Andrew said he was looking forward to joining a squad which was doing so well at the moment.

"It's great to be coming into a team which is already successful," he added.

"I'm only here for two months to start with as they weren't sure how fit I would be. Hopefully, if everything goes well, I may be here for longer."

Andrew said he first became aware of Vale's interest about a week ago.

"Micky spoke to me and said he was keen to do something and I'm definitely embracing the opportunity," he said.

"I've played under him before when he was manager at Brighton and I went on loan there in 2009.

"We get on well, he knows what I can do and I know what he expects, so it's a good move all round."

The lightning-quick striker jumped at the chance to join Vale, having spent several months in a self-imposed exile.

"I've had some time off and that was my choice," he said.

"Being released by Palace was disappointing, but it gave me a rare opportunity to spend time with my family.

"It was also a chance to take a step back from it all, collect my thoughts and wait for the right thing to come along.

"That has brought back my hunger to play and now I'm keen to get back into it and be successful."

Andrew started his career at Luton before signing for Palace in 2008.

His record of four goals in 23 starts during a four-year stay at Selhurst Park fails to tell the whole story.

"I struggled a bit because I had a lot of injuries at bad times," he added.

"Out of the four years I was there, I was collectively out for almost two years with various injuries.

"I had cruciate ligament problems in both legs and hamstring tears which affected my progress.

"I spent a lot of time at Palace, so when they let me go in June it was probably for the best.

"It's always disappointing when you leave a club not on your own terms, but I've had that time off and now I'm really keen to make my mark again."

Assistant boss Mark Grew, pictured left, believes the arrival of Andrew is a "big plus" for the club.

"He's big and strong and we needed another striker of that sort," he said.

"Tom Pope could get injured or suspended and though Ben Williamson has done well, he's not the same sort of player.

"Calvin could do that job for us. He has a great attitude, he has a good left foot and considering he's been out of the game, his fitness looks good."

Andrew could be given an early chance to impress in tonight's reserve team clash at Shrewsbury (7pm).

Captain Doug Loft (calf) and defender Gareth Owen (dead-leg) are also expected to be in the Vale line-up.