Port Vale's Sam Morsy: I have learned my red card lesson

SAM Morsy insists he's a reformed character after an enforced spell on the sidelines.

The 21-year-old midfielder was a key member of Micky Adams's team at the start of the season, but was sent off for a rash challenge against Rochdale seven weeks ago and has hardly figured since.

So he returned to the team at Cheltenham on Saturday determined to change his ways.

"I made a mistake and it is up to me to put things right," he said.

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"I haven't been playing since that red card and it has been tough, but it's something I've learned from.

"I've stood back and taken a long look at things.

"I missed some important matches and that makes you revaluate your game."

Before that red card, Morsy had also missed another game after accruing five bookings, but he is determined to retain the combative side of his game.

"I can't change my game completely," he added.

"I'll still go in for challenges wholeheartedly, but I know now there's a time and a place."

Morsy joined Vale from Wolves as a 16-year-old in 2008.

"It has been a big learning curve during my time at Vale," he said.

"But I definitely feel part of the first-team set-up now.

"The days when I was looked upon as a kid are behind me."

The midfielder, whose only other start since his sending off was in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat by Bradford City two weeks ago, was delighted to be back in action at Whaddon Road.

"I was fired up because missing games makes you realise how much you want it," he said.

"So being out for a while could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

"I'm looking to find some consistency now and I'm cutting out the silly things in my game.

"But I'm still maturing and hoping to develop into a better player."

STRIKER Tom Pope has been voted PFA fans' player of the month for November.

He netted five goals in six games during the month, including a hat-trick against Bristol Rovers. Pope has since taken his tally for the season to 21.

TICKETS for the game against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday are priced just £10 adults and £1 for under-16s for all areas of the ground.