With Northampton Town just around the corner, John Askey has praised his side's work ethic as they prepare for another huge Sky Bet League Two clash.

Vale will be keen to bounce back from Saturday's disappointing 2-0 loss at home to Forest Green Rovers this weekend as they make the trip south the face the Cobblers.

Now almost two months into the job, Askey has encouraged his team to continue in the same hard-working fashion as they have done in the early stages of his tenure at Vale Park.

With the loss to Forest Green ending a four-game unbeaten run, the boss is eager to get back to winning ways this weekend.

He said: "For the majority of the game we did well. First-half we were the better team - second-half we went through a period where we got lulled into a false sense of security.

"We were playing really well second-half then they upped their game a bit and we stopped working. 

"If you're performing well and creating chances, then eventually the results will come and that was proved by our four-game unbeaten run.

"The performances on a whole have been good, but that's short-term, we've got to keep doing that. It's easy when you first come in, but the player's have got to keep doing that long-term. The signs are good - they've come into training today, they're still buoyant and they're still willing to work.

This weekend's fixture could mark the return of Port Vale captain and top goal-scorer, Tom Pope. The forward has been out injured nad subsequently missed Vale's last four games nursing a knee injury.

Pope needs just one goal to bring up his century in a Vale shirt so will no doubt be eager to get back out there should he be called upon.

Askey has provided an update on the skipper, confirming he has returned to full training over the past couple of days.

He said: "We're hoping Tom has fully recovered. 

"He's trained Monday, he's trained today, and with that, if he doesn't get any reaction, he will be in contention this Saturday."