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Interviews

Manny Oyeleke claims Sunderland tie is just another game

6 November 2018

Interviews

Manny Oyeleke claims Sunderland tie is just another game

6 November 2018

Port Vale welcome Sunderland AFC to Vale Park this weekend for their first round FA Cup tie with The Black Cats, and midfielder Manny Oyeleke says the tie is just like any other game.

Having impressed in the league over the past few weeks, it is now time to turn our attention to the FA Cup, hosting Jack Ross' Sunderland in the first televised game at Vale Park for six years.

Port Vale will certainly have their tails up heading into the tie despite being underdogs, having now played five games unbeaten in all competitions. Prior to last weekend's 2-2 draw with Notts County, Neil Aspin's sides went four games without conceding a goal in all competitions and will be hoping to carry on in the same fashion this weekend.

With all the buzz around the ground ahead of the tie, Manny Oyeleke ensures that the players are relaxed and will be treating the fixture like any other game.

He said: "Everyone is quite relaxed - not as excited as you would think."

"We've got a lot of experienced players that have played against teams like Sunderland and in higher leagues as well. We don't want to get too excited and make too much of it.

"Similarly to the Crewe game - it was a big game for the fans and a big game for the club, but we were quite relaxed and once we get onto the game on the day we go from there."

Manny played a full 90 minutes on Tuesday during Port Vale Reserves' 4-1 win over Wigan Athletic's development squad and has ensured he came out of the fixture unscathed.

Goals from Scott Quigley, Ricky Miller and Louis Dodds ensured victory for Mick Ede's side as both Manny and Cristian Montano played their first 90 minutes for just over a month.

The stately midfielder hadn't made an appearance since the loss to MK Dons back in October and has claimed he is happy to have got some minutes under his belt ahead of the Sunderland fixture.

He said: "It felt really good - it's been five weeks since I've played so it was good to get out there, shake my legs and get 90 minutes under my belt.

"I felt fine - it was tough to get back into it with a hamstring injury as you have to manage yourself right.

"I'm happy that I got through it and it's good for my body to play the 90 minutes and hopefully that will be the end of my injury."


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