Former Bristol Rovers and Chelsea goalkeeper could link up with Darrell Clarke at Port Vale

Former Bristol Rovers goalkeeper Jamal Blackman has emerged as a potential transfer target for Port Vale.

Blackman is a free agent after leaving Huddersfield Town this summer but could be given a route back into the game by the Gas legend.

The 28-year-old played as a back-up to Lee Nichols and Ryan Schofield last season, making three appearances for the Terriers in total.

The six foot six shot-stopper had a short spell at the Memorial Stadium back in 2019/20, making 10 appearances before the season was curtailed.

Throughout his career, Blackman has failed to solidify himself as the first choice goalkeeper in the ten clubs he’s been at.

The most successful spell was playing 42 times at Wycombe Wanderers back in 2017 before a season in the Championship with Sheffield United a year later.

He did feature two seasons ago for Rotherham United, racking up 26 appearances that earned hm a move to Major League Soccer outfit Los Angeles.

A report from The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, who specialises in Football League content, says that the Valiants are interested in adding Blackman to their ranks.

First-choice goalkeeper Aidan Stone, who played in the League Two play-off final win over Mansfield Town is their only senior keeper.

Stone signed a two-year extension with the Staffordshire club but will need to have a capable back-up to keep him on his toes.

Their previous option Lucas Covolan was allowed to leave Vale Park and he opted to join Chesterfield on a season-long loan.

Vale, who came up with Rovers last season, have made just two signings in Lewis Cass from Newcastle United and Aberdeen’s Funso Ojo.

They have seen James Gibbons reject a new contract and link up with Joey Barton at the Memorial Stadium, whilst Aaron Martin and Jake Taylor left for Eastleigh and Morecambe respectively.

Elsewhere in League One, Jonson Clarke-Harris has been appointed as captain of Peterborough United for the upcoming season.

Clarke-Harris had taken the mantle on last season and after his 12 goals for the Posh, he has been entrusted by Grant McCann to lead the club back into the Championship at the first time of asking.

McCann said: “We felt last season that Jonson would be a good leader and he just needs to carry on from where he left off by continuing to lead by example and to keep applying himself impressively on and off the pitch.”