Vale trial trio

Former Everton reserve player Scott Brown, former Telford United player Robin Hulbert (pictured) and former Sheffield Wednesday defender Dean Smith are all looking to earn a contract with the League One outfit.

Brown was a regular in The Toffees' youth and reserve sides last season, but he was unable to make a breakthrough into David Moyes's first team.

Hulbert started his career at Swindon Town before moving to West Country rivals Bristol City in a £25,000 move back in March 2000.

He moved to Telford last November, but found himself without a club after The Bucks were forced into liquidation at the season's end.

Smith arrives at Vale Park after being one of 13 players to receive the axe from The Owls back in May.

The 33-year-old could be a welcome addition to the centre of Vale's back-line for next season, with Michael Walsh currently on the sidelines with a serious neck injury.

Walsh is out for up to four months after being partly paralysed in an accidental clash in Port Vale's game with Barnsley this past March.