Smurthwaite confirmed that there had been an issue between Purkiss and Ribeiro. However it was reported that Purkiss was unable to return to the first-team due to a shoulder injury. He made his return to action under caretaker-manager Michael Brown on 30 December, days after Ribeiro's resignation. Pukiss went on to state that he had been genuinely injured and that rumours of a falling out with Ribeiro were an exaggeration. Vale were relegated at the end of the season, after which Purkiss questioned the fitness and conditioning of the squad. After a public vote held in December 2019, he was named by The Sentinel as Port Vale's third-best right-back of the 2010s with 11% of the vote, behind Adam Yates (62%) and James Gibbons (27%). Swindon Town On 28 June 2017, Purkiss signed for newly relegated League Two club Swindon Town on a free transfer, after turning down a new contract with Vale. On the opening day of the 2017–18 campaign, he made his Swindon debut during their 2–1 away victory against Carlisle United, featuring for the entire 90 minutes. He made 45 appearances over the course of the campaign, and was sometimes played out of position at centre-back by "Robins" manager Phil Brown, before he was released in May 2018. Return to Walsall On 31 October 2018, Purkiss rejoined Walsall on non-contract terms. At the time he rejoined the club he was in rehabilitation from a neck injury, and instead of playing spent his time working on opposition analysis and peer support for younger members of the squad. Manager Dean Keates said that "he's made over 400 senior appearances and is chairman of the PFA, so he's an asset with a great affinity to the club". Brentham Purkiss joined Middlesex County League Premier Division club Brentham for the 2021–22 season. He made 25 appearances, including in the Middlesex County FA Intermediate Cup final defeat to NW London. International career Purkiss was named in the England national C team, who represent England at non-League level, in February 2009, for a friendly against Malta under-21s. However, he was forced to pull out of the team due to a stomach muscle injury. He was named on standby in May for an International Challenge Trophy match against Belgium under-21s. He represented Great Britain at the 2009 Summer Universiade, playing in the Bronze Medal match against Japan. Purkiss has also represented the England national