Fellow playoff chasers Colchester United travel to Vale Park where the Valiants are aiming to make it three wins in a row and five games unbeaten. You can find all of the key information regarding the game, below.
Fixture: Port Vale vs Colchester United
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Date: Saturday 15th February 2020
Kick-Off: 3:00 pm
Venue: Vale Park
Referee: LEIGH DOUGHTY
Port Vale
Manager: John Askey
Form: WWDWL
Top Goal Scorer(s): Tom Pope (10 goals) & Richie Bennett (6 goals)
The Vale return to home soil following two successive away victories against fellow promotion chasers Northampton and most recently, a 3-2 triumph over Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday night.
Askey’s men will be looking to continue their four-game unbeaten run, which started with the 3-1 home victory against Exeter in our final fixture of January.
Following two late red cards at the New Lawn, the Valiants are missing three players due to suspension: Tom Pope, Mitchell Clark & James Gibbons.
Recent results have catapulted the Valiants into contention for the playoff places and three points against Colchester could see us move into the Top 7. As it stands we are currently 9 points adrift of the nearest automatic promotion place and 12 points off league leaders Swindon.
"There's a belief amongst the group that they can go anywhere, whether it be home or away and we're capable of getting a result."
Dave Kevan, Port Vale Assistant Manager
Colchester United
Manager: John McGreal
Form: LWLWD
Top Goal Scorer (s): Theo Robinson (11 goals) & Luke Norris (9 goals)
Colchester are currently sat 5th in League Two and after finishing just one point and position outside of the playoff places last season will be looking to make amends.
Last time out, McGreal’s side fell to a 3-2 defeat at home to Grimsby despite taking the lead twice against Holloway’s Mariners.
In the reverse fixture at the JobServe Community Stadium on our opening game of the season, Luke Norris cancelled out Tom Pope’s early penalty on the stroke of half time with the game ending all square.
One to watch: Theo Robinson
Robinson returns to Port Vale, where he made 14 appearances in the 2015-16 season. His first goal for the Valiants coincidentally came against Colchester at Vale Park in March, 2016.
Currently on loan from League One Southend United, the 31-year-old striker achieved a century of Football League goals when he netted in the U’s 3-2 midweek defeat.
Robinson has scored five goals in his last four for Colchester and leads Luke Norris in the club’s top scorer charts.
Coverage:
For all the pre-match build-up and live updates, follow our Snapchat and Instagram accounts: @officialpvfc
All the reaction will be available on the club website post-match, as well as on YouTube, iFollow and Social Media.