Askey made eleven changes on Tuesday night for the Leasing.com Trophy encounter against Newcastle United Under-21's and was left impressed with the depth within the squad.
With the Vale already safely through to the knockout stages of the competition before the Newcastle match, it gave Askey a chance to have a look at his options.
One of the standout performers during the 2-1 win was Mark Cullen who returned to the side on Tuesday, starting his first match since the 3-2 victory at Macclesfield Town in the Leasing.com Trophy in September; he scored both goals in the win over the young Magpies, leaving Askey with food for thought.
Another player returning to the side on Tuesday evening was Tom Conlon. The 23-year-old was a regular in Askey's side before his injury against Plymouth Argyle in September, yet with Scott Burgess and Jake Taylor impressing in his absence, the gaffer has admitted there is a lot of competition in that area.
“He [Mark Cullen] hasn’t done himself any harm has he, every time Mark plays he looks like he’s got a goal in him, so he’s done himself no harm at all. When we started the season, we knew it was important that we strengthened that area [strikers] and they’re all different as well, all the different players that play you’ve got variations so it gives me options.
"Tom [Conlon] had only trained three or four times before that game [2-1 win against Newcastle U-21’s], so I’m really pleased with how he got through.
“He still obviously needs to get back fully fit and there is a lot of competition in that area, I know he’s chomping at the bit, dying to get back but again it’s competition and that’s what I want."
It's now four wins in the last five in all competitions for the Vale, and just one loss in the last 11, and Askey has emphasised that the confidence is high within the changing room.
Despite the confidence and momentum in the squad, Askey has stressed that his side will not become complacent.
The Valiants host managerless Carlisle United tomorrow, and the boss says that it will be hard to judge how they are going to set-up coming into this one.
“We’ve been in this position a couple of times before now where we need to push on, obviously the players are confident with how results have gone.
"Now we just concentrate on this game, and it can soon change, we’re always guarded against complacency, we know we have to work hard if we want a result on Saturday.
“They’ll [Carlisle] come into the game and we won't know how they’re going to play, usually when a team have a manage in place you know who’s going to play and how they’re going to play, but obviously it changes things."