Marcus Harness determined to make hard work pay off at Port Vale
The Valiants are at home to Barnet on Saturday
Michael Baggaley
Port Vale's Marcus Harness says he is learning plenty from being able to play regular League Two football.
The 21 year old, who is on a season-long loan from Championship outfit Burton Albion, says he is enjoying life at Vale Park and is determined to help the club up the table.
Manager Neil Aspin is demanding plenty of work from Harness in his role playing just behind striker Tom Pope. In fact, Aspin has made clear that the work rate of attacking midfielders such as Harness, David Worrall, Ben Whitfield, Tyler Denton and Cristian Montano will be a key to Vale's success as the manager tries to make the team solid defensively while also making sure Pope has plenty of support.
Harness says he will work his socks off for the Vale, but also believes he can improve on the ball
He said: "Hard work for any manager will be a given, that is the minimum they expect, so I am just trying to get about Tom and get past him. That is a big part of what I am being asked to do.
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"So, that's what I am trying to do for the team. I feel like I am doing it to the best of my ability and it has been going well so far. But just maybe on the ball I can affect it more, that is what I am hoping to do."
Marcus Harness competes for the ball in Port Vale's 3-0 win at Morecambe
Harness has had previous loans in non-league with Aldershot and Ilkeston as well as making 36 league appearances for Burton, although only two of those were starts.
He has played against Vale for Burton's reserves on a number of occasions, but says the chance to play regular first-team football for the Valiants can only benefit him.
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He said: "It is very different playing for points, every game is huge. If you make a mistake and get hurt from it, it means something. It's good to be a part of and I want to keep getting better and getting points for the team."