Manager Neil Aspin has been dealt a huge blow in the defensive department, confirming that left back Cristian Montano will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a hamstring injury.

The Colombian was forced to come off on the 60th minute against Crawley Town because of the injury, but still went on the receive the man of the match award after an excellent yet limited performance.

Monty has been a revelation since making the switch from the wing to left back. The decision to move him to defence came about after watching him play in that position several times in training according to Neil Aspin, and says he will be a huge loss for the team.

"He's a player we can ill afford to lose at the moment but that's the way things have gone and the way things are going. Unfortunately we just have to get on with it.

"It's a massive blow. Not only has he been doing well defending, which has probably surprised people, he's obviously one of our main attacking threats. So you're losing him defensively and attacking.

"It's a complete turn around, in most people's eyes he's become one of our most valuable players and probably no one would've said that earlier in the season."

Montano has recently admitted in an interview he struggled to find his form when he first joined the club in the summer, but has since become a regular under Neil Aspin after his recent surge in form.

Aspin now has another defensive headache as to who will fill in at left back for the rest of the season, with four games remaining.

Danny Pugh had a spell at left back but still has one game remaining on his suspension, and the gaffer will have to look at alternative options going into Lincoln at the weekend.

"Someones going to obviously have to fill in at left back. We'll have to look to see who's best equipped to do that.

"Kyle Howkins trained on Friday but he felt his knee and it was still swollen so he couldn't play on Saturday."

Lincoln will come to Vale Park on Saturday full of confidence after a victory at Wembley against League 1 side, Shrewsbury Town in the Football League Trophy final on Sunday. 

A win at the weekend for the Vale could see them move ten points clear of the relegation zone.