Port Vale v Sheff Utd preview

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Richard Duffy has added to Port Vale’s injury problems ahead of the visit of Sheffield United.

Duffy came off injured early in the second half of the 1-0 defeat at Rotherham on Monday and the central defender is a doubt for Friday night.

With Rob Taylor (thigh), Doug Loft (broken cheekbone), Joe Davis (hamstring) and Tom Pope (ankle) all out, Vale manager Micky Adams was only able to name five substitutes on the bench against the Millers – including youth-team defender Nathan Smith and first-teamers Jennison Myrie-Williams and Anthony Griffith who were not fully fit.

Some good news for Adams sees midfielder Chris Lines come back into the reckoning after a four-match suspension.

Sheffield United trio Michael Doyle, Stefan Scougall and Jose Baxter could all return to the starting line-up in Friday’s game against Port Vale.

Skipper Doyle and striker Baxter started on the substitutes’ bench in Monday’s goalless draw at Tranmere and Scougall was rested altogether, but all three are pushing for recalls.

Bob Harris is not expected to recover from a groin injury so Matt Hill is likely to resume in defence, but manager Nigel Clough has no new injury or suspension concerns.

The Blades, in eighth place in the table, are unbeaten in their last five league matches.