Port Vale: Lee Hughes stays as boss Micky Adams let four go

Veteran striker Lee Hughes has been rewarded with a new 12-month contract after scoring 10 goals in 18 games to help Port Vale to promotion.

But fellow 36-year-old Darren Purse is one of four players released by Micky Adams as Vale prepare for League One.

Midfielder Kingsley James, 21, defender Clayton McDonald, 24, and striker Calvin Andrew, 26, are also leaving.

However, Hughes had a clause in his contract that he would automatically be retained in Vale went up.

The former Kidderminster Harriers, West Bromwich Albion, Coventry City, Oldham Athletic and Notts County forward proved he had plenty still to offer by outscoring League Two's 33-goal leading marksman Tom Pope over the last three months.

During the same period, much-travelled centre-half Purse, also signed during the January window, started 17 of Vale's 20 remaining games to help secure promotion, but he has not been offered a new deal.

Former Crystal Palace striker Andrew netted just once in 22 appearances, 15 of them from the bench, while both McDonald and James finished the season out on loan.

Vale boss Adams has offered new contracts to 10 other players whose current deals expire on 30 June.

Midfield men Sam Morsy, Doug Loft and Ashley Vincent, striker Ben Williamson, left-back Dan Jones and reserve keeper Sam Johnson have all been offered two-year deals.

Striker Louis Dodds and defender Adam Yates have been offered one-year deals, with an option for a second, and mid-season arrivals Liam Chilvers and Chris Birchall are considering 12-month deals.