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Neil Aspin wants his players to leave the pitch this Sunday without any regrets.

9 November 2018

Interviews

Neil Aspin wants his players to leave the pitch this Sunday without any regrets.

9 November 2018

Port Vale face Sunderland AFC this Sunday afternoon for their First Round Emirates FA Cup tie, and manager Neil Aspin wants his players to leave everything out there on the pitch this weekend.

The FA Cup game comes as the first televised fixture taking place at Vale Park for just over six years, as Jack Ross' Black Cats make the trip south to Burslem as favourites to progress through the famous competition.

Sunderland have been on an impressive run of late having not lost in nine games in all competitions, however The Valiants will be boosted by their own form coming into the tie, having not lost in five games - including four clean sheets in all competitions.

As slight underdogs, the gaffer has ensured that is is essential for the players to give their all when the tie comes around and that they leave the field with 'no regrets'.

He said: "What I want from the players is that they give a good account of themselves and they give it a real good go - that's all you can ask for.

"You don't want them to come off the pitch having any regrets that they could've done more or that they could've done different things.

"They've got to give it their best shot and on the day, if they're not good enough you've got to hold your hands up, but they must do everything they can to get the result."

Aspin has also provided an injury update on the current squad, as a few familiar faces could potentially return for the cup tie this weekend.

Cristian Montano and Manny Oyeleke both played their first full 90 minutes in over a month as they featured in Port Vale Reserves resounding 4-1 victory over Wigan Athletic's development squad. Both players managed the full game and came out the other side unscathed as the boss has confirmed that the pair could feature this weekend.

One player however, who will not be available this weekend, is full-back James Gibbons. The defender has come down with illness and has been unavailable to train this week in the build up to the FA Cup tie. The boss has confirmed he will play no part on Sunday.

He said: "The week has gone well in terms of the fact we've managed to get a few players through the reserve game.

"Everybody is in my thoughts for the game and everybody will want to play, but they'll (Cristian Montano and Manny Oyeleke) have to wait to see what the team is going to be.

"The only player that's not been able to train today has been James Gibbons because he's got a sickness bug, so he's the only player that's not available to us on Sunday."


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