by Steve Shaw

PORT Vale boss Dean Glover faces a race against time to bolster his midfield ahead of today's 5pm deadline for loan signings after an extended stay for Carlisle's Kevin Gall was ruled out by injury.

Glover was set to extend Gall's loan after parent club Carlisle agreed to release him for a further month.

But the deal was scuppered after a scan confirmed he could face three weeks on the sidelines after damaging his right calf during Saturday's 1-0 win at Bradford City.

Despite failing to score during his time at Vale, striker Gall has helped Glover's side achieve three victories and one draw in his seven appearances, often playing at right midfield.

With nine games of the season remaining, Glover said: "Hopefully Kevin will go back to Carlisle and get himself fit, but I can't take a gamble on him if he's going to be out for between one and three weeks.

"He gave us another dimension in attack, so I think we will need another body in for the run-in.

"We need a wide midfielder because we have enough options through the centre. It's now a case of ringing around our contacts and seeing what turns up."

Glover has refused to rule out trying to attract former skipper Paul Harsley back to the club.

Harsley, who made 82 appearances for Vale between 2006-08, turned down the club's offer of a new contract to join League Two rivals Chesterfield in the summer.

However, he has struggled to make an impact, having made just seven league starts, and the Spireites are ready to listen to offers for the midfielder.

Glover said: "We'll have to wait and see in the summer whether Paul becomes available.

"He has another year left on his contract and is on better money there than he was on here.

"I wouldn't rule him out, though, because he was a good servant for us and is a great pro to work with."

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