Port Vale host Newcastle United under-21’s in the final Northern Group D match in the Leasing.com Trophy this evening, and having already qualified, John Askey’s men will be looking to top the group with three points. You can find all of the key information regarding the game, below.
Fixture: Port Vale v Newcastle United under-21’s
Competition: Leasing.com Trophy
Date: Tuesday 12th November 2019
Kick-Off: 7:45 pm
Venue: Vale Park
Referee: Paul Marsden
Port Vale
Manager: John Askey
Form: DWDWW
Top Goal Scorer: Richie Bennett (5 goals in all competitions)
Having already beaten Shrewsbury Town and Macclesfield Town in Northern Group D, the Vale can confirm top spot in the group tonight with a win against United’s under-21’s, earning themselves a home tie in the next round.
John Askey’s men go into this one in fine form, they have only lost once in their last ten in all competitions, and will be high in confidence following a win at League One side MK Dons in the FA Cup first round on Saturday.
Emmanuel Oyeleke and Adam Crookes still remain sidelined with injuries, yet Tom Conlon returned to training recently and may be available for tonight’s fixture.
Newcastle United Under-21’s
Manager: N/A
Form: LLWDL
Top Goal Scorer: Luke Charman (6 goals in all competitions)
The young Magpies are currently struggling coming into this fixture, they sit ninth out of 12 in the Premier League Two Division Two table, only having won just three of their ten league matches so far this season.
They are also going into the last group stage game of the Leasing.com Trophy knowing that they cannot qualify, with losses to Shrewsbury Town and Macclesfield Town already, Newcastle sit bottom of the group with zero points and a much inferior goal difference.
Florian Lejeune appeared for the under-21’s in their 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough late last month, and he was not in the first team’s squad to face Bournemouth last weekend meaning he could be in contention for tonight’s squad.
One to Watch: Luke Charman
Charman has been a bright spark in what has been a disappointing start to the season for the young Magpies, scoring six goals in his last 10 appearances in al competitions.
The 21-year-old is a local lad being born in Durham, and is currently the side’s top goal scorer in all competitions.
The young forward did have a loan spell at Accrington Stanley in 2018, and made appearances in both the FA Cup and Leasing.com Trophy yet never made a league appearance. Charman is currently a vital member of the Newcastle under-21 side.
Talk
John Askey: "Obviously Tuesday will give us a chance to look at one or two players, and hopefully we can get another win."
Lewis Cass (Newcastle defender): "There'll be a lot of experience gained if we could go and get three points against a League Two team."
Coverage
iFollow the Vale will be providing full 90minute commentary from the match, whilst the Port Vale Twitter and Facebook feeds will be providing live updates for the entirety.
You can watch the game LIVE from your home by purchasing the iFollow video Match Pass for £10.
There will also be the 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.