Black opts to stay with Vale Rec for rest of the season

RYAN-ZICO BLACK has won caps at Star Trophy and under-18 level; now he wants a senior one. The Vale Rec striker might get his wish this spring having decided to stay put in Guernsey for the remainder of the season and put his professional ambitions on hold until next season.

Black, 22, was expected to return to the UK on Wednesday, but he shocked Ray Blondel and his teammates when he announced after Tuesday's win over Rangers that he was staying - for now.

Blondel is delighted, the Northern Ireland under-21 international having greatly impressed in back-to-back wins over Rangers and Rovers.

Black is no less determined to earn a living from the game, but says he wants to get games under his belt.

'Looking at the big picture, I thought it best to stay for now.

'I will go back next season. I still want to go away to play.'

Black, who fell out of favour at Conference sides More-cambe and Northwich Victoria, recently received his Irish under-21 cap for the match against Ukraine earlier this season.

'You get just one cap per season,' said Black, pointing out that was the case regardless of how many matches you played.

Black moves out of that age group with two caps for his four international appearances.

What chances now of a full Muratti cap?

In just two games back in Guernsey, Black has impressed to the extent that he surely must come into consideration for the upcoming South-West Counties League games.

'Now I'm back I just want to play as many games as possible, be that for the Rec or Guernsey,' the player said.