Stafford Rangers sign Port Vale teenager Harry Benns on loan

The 18-year-old, who was on Manchester City’s books until he was 14, signed a professional contract with Vale in May.

Boro manager Steve Burr snapped him up this week for an initial one-month loan to add firepower to his attack ahead of a congested schedule.

“We know that this league comes thick and fast,” said. “It’s an area that is important to the team, we need to be in amongst the goals.

“We tried to get Harry a little bit earlier but we couldn’t. He’s one that will play off the front man, anywhere across the front if you play a three.

“It’s an area that since pre-season we’ve been looking at. They’re not easy to find, but he’ll get in amongst the goals.

"He’s only 18, he’s been in and around their first team in pre-season. Neil Aspin (Vale boss) thinks a lot of him.”

Benns will meet his new team-mates at training tonight and will be in the Boro squad for their long trip to South Shields on Saturday.

Rangers travel north after picking up their first point of the season in a 1-1 draw at home to Grantham Town on Tuesday.

“We’re still finding out a lot about the players,” said Burr. “And they’re learning about how I want to play.

“It’s going to take a bit of time, but we’re up and running and we go to South Shields with a positive attitude.

“They are one of the favourites, they’re spending some money, and are one of the teams tipped to win the league. We know it’s going to be difficult, we had them watched the other night, it’ll be a tough one for us.

“But I know we’ll keep improving. There still one or two coming back who are not yet 100 per cent.

“Izak Reid has been out for a considerable amount of time, he’s not match fit yet but might come into contention this weekend.”