Loft joined Port Vale from Brighton along with Tommy Fraser in June

Port Vale midfielder Doug Loft believes he will be approaching full fitness in time for the club's opening game of the season against Rochdale on 8 August.

The 22-year-old joined the club from Brighton in June, but missed the first two weeks of pre-season with illness.

Loft told BBC Radio Stoke: "I'm around 70% at the minute. I've got to work on my sharpness and getting my touch back.

"I am doing double sessions and training hard. Hopefully I will be fit and ready to go."

Loft, who worked with Vale manager Micky Adams during his time at Brighton, got his first goal for the club during the 2-1 friendly win over Wolves on Wednesday.

Speaking about Adams, Loft added: "He likes to get his teams fit, he always gives players good advice and has great man management skills.

"Everyone wants to impress him, you can see in training everyone is fighting to play.

"And if everyone wants to play then we are all pushing each other and playing better."

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