Nicholls Injury Overshadows Defeat

A serious injury to Northampton Town striker Alex Nicholls overshadowed Vale`s 2-0 defeat at Sixfields on Saturday afternoon. The summer recruit from Walsall was injured whilst putting his side into the lead and unfortunately sustained a double compound fracture of his left leg. Vale skipper John McCombe was sent off for the tackle, made whilst attempting to deny Nicholls, following a poor back pass from Rob Taylor. Micky Adams has stated that McCombe is 'distraught` after the incident, and Cobblers counterpart Aidy Bothbroyd and striker Adebayo Akinfenwa have both harboured no resentment to the defender. However, Nicholls faces a mighty challenge in recovering from the incident and everyone associated with the Vale wishes him well in his recovery.

With Clayton McDonald and Richard Duffy ruled out of the game, Vale have been dealt a further blow now that McCombe faces a three match suspension and Gareth Owen hobbled off injured at half time. Paul Wildes` takeover of the club can`t come quickly enough in order for Adams to add some much needed depth to his squad if the Valiants are to maintain their impressive start to the season. Doug Loft and Clayton McDonald may return for next week`s FA Cup tie at Forest Green, though Adams may opt for further changes as he seeks to freshen his side up. Speaking after the game, the Vale boss commented on Nicholls` injury. "All my thoughts are with Alex Nicholls at the moment and everyone connected with Port Vale wishes Alex a speedy recovery.

"But I've just seen the tackle and it's a genuine attempt by John to win the ball and it's an unfortunate accident.

"John is distraught about it. He is as honest as the day is long and it was genuine attempt to clear the ball after Robert Taylor has put Chris Neal in trouble with the back pass."

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