Darrell Clarke insists he’s ready to “stand at the front of the pack” as the Port Vale manager returns to the dugout as manager this weekend for the first time in three months following a family bereavement
Iconic former Bristol Rovers manager Clarke took a leave of absence in February. He did return to work on March 30 but that had been to support interim Andy Crosby before taking hold of the reins again at the end of the season; a decision that has since been revised.
In his absence, Vale climbed to third in the table, five points clear of the chasing pack on Good Friday. But a run of three straight defeats has now left them on the outside looking in regarding automatic promotion. Port Vale travel to title-seeking Exeter City needing a win to make third, while hoping Northampton, Rovers and Mansfield are unable to take three points in their respective games.
