Anyon moved to Vale Park from Blackburn in 2004

Young Port Vale goalkeeper Joe Anyon believes his £8 shin pads helped save his career.

The 22-year-old suffered a broken tibia during the 2-1 defeat at Chesterfield but specialists told him the injury could have been more severe.

Anyon told BBC Radio Stoke: "When I saw the doctors they were astonished I hadn't also broken my fibia.

"My shin pads took the full impact and definitely saved me. There's no doubt I'll always wear shin pads."

Anyon is expected to be out for up to two to three months but is determined to come back stronger.

He said: "The specialist that I am seeing also treated [Stoke midfielder] Rory Delap and his injury was much worse than mine. He was out for six months so I should be back much sooner."

The Vale youth-team product is out of contract in the summer and admits he does not know if the injury will affect his future at the club.

"I haven't thought about my contract. My priority is getting my leg right. I don't want to rush into anything," he said.

"I've played over 100 games for Vale and have been back to my best recently, but people might question how well I'll come back from this."

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