Port Vale: Sean McAllister set to benefit from Sam Morsey's moment of madness

SAM Morsy has been hit in the pocket as well as getting the hairdryer treatment from Micky Adams this week.

The Vale boss has revealed he fined the 21-year-old midfielder the maximum amount possible following Morsy's sending off for a reckless challenge in Tuesday's 2-2 draw at home to Rochdale.

The maximum fine permitted, under an agreement with the PFA, is two weeks' wages.

However, Morsy may consider this to be the least of his worries after having to also faced the wrath of an enraged Adams, pictured below.

Morsy's red card means he sits out today's game at Southend (3pm) as he serves the first of a three-game ban.

But Vale have already paid the price for his rush of blood.

They were 2-0 up when he was dismissed for a high lunge on Rochdale's Jason Kennedy near the halfway line in the 65th minute.

That changed the course of a game the Valiants were dominating.

Rochdale came back to level at 2-2 and Adams says Morsy has to take responsibility for costing his side two points.

The Vale boss doesn't even think youth is an excuse.

He said: "Sam's not a baby; he's not someone you are teaching the game to.

"He knows my feelings on it; I think his discipline will cost him.

"Look at the number of bookings he's had this season; he's already served a suspension.

"Also he should have been sent off for a tackle against Oxford. Then that tackle the other night was really disappointing. I didn't think there was any need for it at all.

"I can't condone that tackle, it was outrageous.

"He's apologised, he has a three-match ban coming up and he has been fined the maximum I can fine him.

"John McCombe got sent off at Northampton, but I will accept that every day of the week because it was a genuine attempt to play the ball.

"But I will be honest. I called Sam a coward after the game.

"He went for the ball, but he also then went to hurt their lad. I don't want to see that in my team."

Morsy is set to be replaced by Sean McAllister at Southend tomorrow, providing the Valiants get clearance from the Football League to add the former Shrewsbury midfielder to their wage bill.

The club's administrator, Bob Young, has sanctioned the move after discussions with owners-in-waiting Norman Smurthwaite and Paul Wildes.

The businessmen could be installed as the club's new owners within a fortnight, so it made sense for Young to consult them before taking on any financial commitments.

That leaves Adams waiting for a decision from the Football League before naming his side for Roots Hall.

At least McAllister won't need any introductions to the rest of the players. The 25-year-old has been training with the squad and playing in reserve games for the Valiants over the last month.

They don't face an easy game against a Southend side who won 3-2 at Bristol Rovers in midweek.

That lifted Paul Sturrock's side to 12th, just three points outside the play-off places.

The Valiants don't have happy memories of Roots Hall having been stuffed 3-0 there last season in what Adams described as one of their worst performances under his management.

Liam Dickinson scored one of the goals and ran Vale ragged, so no wonder Vale tried to sign him in the summer.

Dickinson trained with the Valiants at the start of the campaign, but is out for the season with a broken ankle.

Adams added: "Southend were a good side last season. They have had a bit of turmoil in terms of finances, but once again Paul has managed to get a competitive side together.

"They went to Bristol Rovers and deservedly won in midweek, so we expect nothing other than a tough game.

"We really got turned over there last season. Liam Dickinson caused absolute carnage that day, so I'm glad he's not playing for them this week.

"But we are a different side now. I want to take all the positives I can out of Tuesday night because we looked fantastic going forward.

"That's why it's a massive disappointment we didn't get the other two points."