Vale drop interest in Killen

Port Vale have dropped their interest in Chris Killen as they can't afford the wages he is asking. Killen is one of Athletic’s top earners and is contracted until Summer 2006. The New Zealand International has had a torrid time at Boundary Park, being absent on a regular basis through injury. Killen failed to turn up recently for a personal appearance with some school children and suffered the wrath of Simon Corney. He has failed to appear in the last six games but that sequence could be halted on Sunday as Athletic struggle to put a team together for the potential banana skin televised F.A. Cup match at Thurrock. Only Killen and Scott Vernon are available as recognised professional strikers.