Alfreton Town sign Port Vale goalkeeper Sam Johnson on loan deal while Lee Steenson extends Stockport County loan

Johnson will make his debut in Saturday’s Vanarama Conference clash at Macclesfield Town and will become Alfreton`s fifth person to appear in goal this season following on from Jon Stewart, Cameron Dawson, James Severn and midfield player Anthony Howell who played in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay at Lincoln City.

Johnson stands 6ft 7in tall and after beginning as a youngster with Stoke City, he joined Port Vale’s professional ranks in June 2011, graduating through their academy programme.

A regular in the club’s youth team who finished fourth in their league in 2010/11, he had a loan spell with Stafford Rangers before being named as Vale’s young player of the season at the end of the 2012/13 campaign. Sam broke into the senior squad during the 2013/14 season and has made first team appearances so far.

He played several first-team games due to injuries to regular first choice ‘keeper Chris Neal and impressed everybody. Johnson started this season as first-choice and made five league and one cup appearance before losing his place again to Neal.

Sam will wear squad number 20 during his stay at the Impact Arena and Vale manager Rob Page has given permission for him to play in both the FA Trophy and Derbyshire Senior Cup.

Meanwhile, Reds midfield player Lee Stevenson has had his loan at Conference North club Stockport County extended for a third month. Stevenson will now be at Edgeley Park until December 20th inclusive.