Port Vale manager John Askey talked up Adam Crookes’ “quality” and believes he has the potential “to go higher” in his career. The 21-year-old has spent the second-half of the season on loan at Vale Park and has impressed enough to potentially earn himself a permanent deal this summer.
Crookes still hasn’t made a single appearance for Forest so it’s unlikely that he has a future at the City Ground, but whether he’s willing to join a League Two outfit who are languishing in the division remains to be seen. Askey is hoping he does, however.
The Vale boss told the Stoke Sentinel: “You don’t want too many young players in your squad unless you have real quality. Even with Mitch and Crookesy, we have seen games where they have made mistakes. You don’t want players making too many mistakes, but I think those two have got good attitudes and have potential to go higher.
“That is what you want from your younger players – people who have quality and a great chance of playing higher, whether that is with us or you get a transfer fee for them.” Crookes has made 18 league appearances for Vale this season, picking up six clean sheets for his troubles.
With Tendayi Darikwa, Saidy Janko and Sam Byram ahead of him in the pecking order at Forest, it’s no surprise that Crookes has struggled for playing time. But Askey’s admission that the right-back could play at a higher level might make Crookes consider his options this summer.
He’ll be out of contract in the coming weeks but is expected to be approached by Vale and potentially other clubs too.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Opinion: Out-of-favour striker could leave Nottingham Forest
