All you need to know ahead of Tuesday's Checkatrade Trophy clash...
Fixture: Port Vale vs Crewe Alexandra
Competition: Checkatrade Trophy
Venue: Vale Park
Date: Tuesday 7th November
Kick-Off: 7:45pm
Preview
Vale go into their final game of the Checkatrade Trophy knowing that three points against rivals, Crewe Alexandra, would see them progress into the knockout stages of the competition.
Neil Aspin’s side are top of Group D with five points to their name after a penalty shootout victory away to Oldham Athletic was followed up by a win at home to Newcastle United U21s.
Opposition
After edging past Vale in a Sky Bet League Two clash during August, the Railwaymen’s fast-paced start has slowed considerably and they now lie 18th in the third tier.
They also sit bottom of the group in the Checkatrade Trophy with no points to show for their efforts against Newcastle United U21s and Oldham Athletic.
Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup First Round victory over Rotherham United will give David Artell’s men a much needed confidence boost ahead of Tuesday, however.
Talk
Neil Aspin: “The league is the priority and it always will be, but if you’re going to play a game in any competition it’s obviously better to progress.
“Always for confidence it’s important to get wins under your belts so you want to try and get a result from the game.”
David Artell: “It’s a game against local rivals, you’ve got to go into every one aiming to win it and we’ve got to make sure we approach the game in that manner.”
Team News
Vale will still be without long-term absentee, Kjell Knops, as he recovers from a knee injury and Ben Whitfield also joins him on the treatment table with an ankle problem.
Rob Lainton is nearing a return but he is still unavailable and that could pave the way for Ryan Boot to start between the posts as he did versus Oxford United.
Joe Davis and Tyrone Barnett will both be unavailable after picking up injuries in training last week, but Anton Forrester and Sam Hornby have returned to action.
Crewe will be missing the George Ray as he continues to recover from a back injury which he sustained back in April.
James Jones is also yet to feature this season due to a hernia and Ryan Wintle is unavailable after picking up a stress fracture in his tibia back in September.
Coverage
Follow The Vale will be providing full 90 minute commentary from the match, while the Port Vale Twitter and Facebook feeds will be providing live updates for the entirety.
There will also be build-up to the game with the official Snapchat and Instagram accounts: officialpvfc.
Reaction will be available on the official website post-match, as well as on YouTube, iFollow and social media.