Marc Richards remains top scorer at Port Vale this season with 14 goals

Port Vale striker Marc Richards was delighted with his returning to first-team action after missing the last seven games due to a thigh injury.

The 28-year-old played the final 12 minutes of the 1-1 draw against his former club Northampton on Saturday.

"I felt a lot fitter than I thought I would be," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"It's not quite been six weeks (since the injury) so it's a case of trying to pull the reins in because I don't want to miss any more of the season."

Richards' last appearance for Vale came on 3 January, when he was sent off in their 2-1 home victory over Burton Albion.

He has scored 14 goals in 29 games this season and still leads the club's scoring charts.

With Tommy Fraser departing Vale Park in January, Richards has inherited the role of club captain and said it is one that he is very proud of.

"It's an honour and I want to be doing as much as I can to help Port Vale," added the former Barnsley striker.

"I want to encourage the lads and get this team as high up the table as possible.

"I'm normally quite a laid-back guy and normally involved with all the jokes, but I think I'll have to be a bit more serious now."

Richards could make his first start since Jim Gannon took charge at Vale Park when the Valiants host Bradford on Friday night.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version