 Adams continued to use McCombe in the heart of the Vale defence at the start of 2011–12, however he dropped him from the first team after 11 matches in favour of loan signing Liam Chilvers.He marked his return to the first team on 14 October 2011 with the second goal of a 3–0 win over Northampton Town.However, he was dropped after the next match, a 4–0 defeat at home to Morecambe, only to win back his first-team place the following month after turning down the chance to leave the club on loan.