Neil Aspin and his Port Vale side face Stevenage away from home in Sky Bet League Two on Tuesday evening, and you can find all of the key information ahead of the clash at the Lamex Stadium below...
Fixture: Stevenage vs Port Vale
Date: Tuesday 23rd October 2018
Kick-Off: 7:45pm
Venue: Lamex Stadium
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Referee: Charles Brakespear
Port Vale
Form: DWWDLLWLWW
League Position: 16th
Top Scorer: Tom Pope (5 goals)
Following Saturday's battling performance which was rewarded with all three points away to Oldham Athletic, Vale will be hoping to record back-to-back wins on the road when they face Stevenage. Tom Pope's 37th-minute goal proved to be the only goal of the game at Boundary Park, but it was the defensive display that impressed the most.
Despite the Latics piling on the pressure during the second half, Vale's back line threw their bodies in the way of several shots to ensure their clean sheet remained intact when the full-time whistle was blown. A change of formation saw the Valiants operate with a back three, and it paid dividends at the weekend.
Whether or not the manager will rotate his squad remains to be seen, but the return of James Gibbons has strengthened the options in the defensive area. Tom Pope's comeback was a big plus too, but this game will come too early for Cristian Montano, Manny Oyeleke and Scott Quigley who all remain sidelined. Ricky Miller will be available again after suspension.
Stevenage
Form: LWDWWLWLLL
League Position: 10th
Top Scorer: Ben Kennedy and Alex Revell (3 goals)
Having lost their last three fixtures in all competitions, including an embarassing 8-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic in the Checkatrade Trophy, Stevenage will be desperate to put an end to their recent run when Vale arrive at the Lamex Stadium on Tuesday.
Last time out, Dino Maamria's men slipped to a 1-0 loss at home to Crewe Alexandra in Sky Bet League Two. Ben Nugent was also sent off just 12 minutes into that fixture, and as a result, he will miss this game due to suspension.
Johnny Hunt could be the man to replace Nugent in Stevenage's back line, but Maamria will be without goalkeeper Paul Farman and defender Ronnie Henry as the pair remain out of action due to injury. Apart from that, the manager has a full strength squad to choose from.
One To Watch: Jamal Campbell-Ryce
The 35-year-old made the move to the Lamex Stadium this summer after being released by Carlisle United, and despite only making three appearances so far this season, the experienced winger will be hoping to kick on and get a run of games under his belt.
He started on Saturday afternoon as 'Boro' fell to a home defeat against Crewe Alexandra, but it will be interesting to see if he is used as an impact substitute off the bench this time around. Regardless of whether he starts or not, he has the capability to cause Sky Bet League Two defenders plenty of problems.
Having represented the likes of Rotherham United, Barnsley and Sheffield United during his long career, his knowhow of the level is invaluable. He has a good record against Vale too, being directly involved in six goals (four goals, two assists) in his last games against the Valiants.
Talk
Neil Aspin: "It's pleasing that there has been no reaction to Saturday because there was obviously a few people who were battered and bruised, plus we had a few tired legs.
"There is nothing that I can see that will affect what team I can put out Tuesday so I'm pleased to get through that game unscathed."
Dino Maamria: "It won't be easy but we will be ready for it. What we have been noticing now is that because we have been good at home, a lot of teams like to come here, slow the game and play almost for a point.
"They did that at Oldham very, very well. They managed to nick a goal and they played five at the back. We expect the same type of game. We have got to be patient, we have got to be resilient and we have got to make sure that when we get our chance we put them away early."
Coverage
Follow The Vale will be providing full 90 minute commentary from the match, whilst 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.