MATTY Taylor’s deadline day move to Port Vale had been whispered about quietly behind the scenes on Tuesday but when the move was announced, it still came as a shock.

This is a player who is very much Mr Oxford United. His release as a teenager and return years later, with 64 goals hitting the back of the net, is the ultimate local lad success story.

Whether he will climb from his current spot as seventh-highest goalscorer remains to be seen, with his contract up in the summer.

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This season hasn’t worked for Taylor, he himself will be the first to admit that, and that’s why the move to Vale makes a lot of sense.

There is the obvious, which is the chance to work under Darrell Clarke again.

Taylor helped fire Clarke’s Bristol Rovers to back-to-back promotions to the third tier, prior to his much-discussed move across the city.

Reuniting with a manager he netted 67 goals for in two and a half years will have been a huge draw for Taylor.

There is a chance here for the 32-year-old to hit the refresh button and remind everyone what he can do, which is why the loan is sensible for the player.

For United, there will be a lot of pressure on Tyler Smith to start firing, otherwise letting Taylor go could look a questionable decision by the club.