Port Vale v Rotherham preview

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Chris Lines returns from suspension for Port Vale’s home game against Rotherham but Chris Robertson will serve a one-match ban.

Lines sat out the Boxing Day win over Notts County at Vale Park after accumulating five yellow cards this season, while Robertson was booked for the fifth time against the Magpies and will miss the Millers match.

“Chris (Robertson) has been on a tightrope for a while, as have a few others, but we have to make a change and whoever comes in will give us an honest performance,” said Vale boss Micky Adams.

Captain Doug Loft completed 90 minutes against Notts County on his return to the side after five weeks out with a calf strain.

Rotherham will be without suspended duo Mark Bradley and Rob Milsom as they bring a hugely successful 2013 to an end at Port Vale.

Defender Bradley and right-back Milsom both picked up their fifth yellow card of the season in Boxing Day’s 1-0 win at Bradford.

Michael O’Connor should start in their absence, with James Tavernier likely to switch to right-back and Joe Skarz coming in at left-back.

Haris Vuckic, the matchwinner at Valley Parade, and Claude Davis are doubts with knocks while Matt Tubbs will hope to have shaken off a virus.

Port Vale v Rotherham preview

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Manager Micky Adams must decide whether to pick an unchanged team for the sixth successive game when Port Vale take on Rotherham.

It is likely he will after Vale beat League One leaders Tranmere 2-0 in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in midweek, although Adams was quick to play down the result against a much-changed Rovers side.

Vale have won three and drawn one of the five matches that Adams has not tinkered with the starting XI.

“In terms of team selection we have decided to go with the boys that have been playing well as a unit,” said Adams. “We have got competition for places with boys on the sidelines itching for an opportunity, but we have been justified in our decisions.

“It was another clean sheet [on Tuesday night], which will give confidence to the goalkeeper and the back four. But we picked up a couple of sloppy bookings and we were letting too many crosses in late on, as can happen in cup games, and we need to make sure that doesn’t happen in the league.”

Adams has fit-again duo Gareth Owen and Rob Taylor available, along with defender Adam Yates, midfielders Ryan Burge and Ryan Lloyd and striker Ben Williamson, should he wish to make any changes.

Rotherham boss Steve Evans has a defensive conundrum when his side return to League Two action.

Makeshift right-back Mark Bradley tweaked a hamstring in Tuesday’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat against York and is ruled out, meaning Evans may have to throw in fit-again Nicky Hunt (hamstring) despite only having one reserve appearance under his belt.

The former Bolton defender and fellow right-back Dale Tonge (Achilles) made their return to action in Wednesday’s second-string clash with Gateshead, where new signing Craig Morgan also got some game time.

If Evans thinks Morgan has enough in his legs the former Preston man could come in at central defence, allowing Johnny Mullins to move along to the full-back spot.

To add an extra dimension to Evans’ problem, midfielder Kari Arnason, who has been filling in at centre-back in recent weeks, is on international duty with Iceland.

Elsewhere, Evans is expected to recall four of the players he left out in midweek, so Scott Shearer, David Noble, Kayode Odejayi and Daniel Nardiello should all start.

Port Vale v Rotherham preview

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Port Vale will have Marc Richards available again for the home fixture.

The striker, who has only featured three times this season due to injury and suspension, has served a three-match ban for the red card he received during the 2-0 victory at Plymouth on September 10.

Stuart Tomlinson could keep the number one jersey after replacing Chris Martin in goal against Crewe last weekend and impressing during the 1-1 draw.

On-loan defenders Rob Kozluk and Liam Chilvers are likely to make their full home debuts following their first appearances for the club at Gresty Road.

Sean Rigg made his return from a hamstring injury as a second-half substitute against the Alex and the striker could be pushing for a starting place.

Defender Lee Collins remains a major doubt as he continues his struggle to overcome a groin problem.

Rotherham defender Johnny Mullins could start his first game of the season at the away game following a long-term injury.

Mullins last began a game for the Millers on April 2 and missed the final six games of last season due to a knee problem.

But he stepped off the substitutes’ bench for the last half-an-hour in last week’s home defeat to Southend and manager Andy Scott could opt to recall him to his starting line-up.

Midfielder Paul Warne edged closer to a return to first-team action after a lengthy knee injury with an appearance for the reserves this week but is unlikely to feature.

Defender Richard Cresswell (ankle) and goalkeeper Jamie Annerson (knee) remain sidelined as the Millers look to bounce back from last Saturday’s 4-0 drubbing and secure a second win in six league matches.

Port Vale v Rotherham preview

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Tom Pope is unable to face parent club Rotherham as Port Vale look to turn around their miserable run of form.

Striker Pope joined the Valiants on a month’s loan on Friday and duly made his debut as a second-half substitute in Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Lincoln, yet he is ineligible to face the Millers under the terms of his switch.

Defeat at Sincil Bank over the weekend was manager Jim Gannon’s fourth from five games since taking charge and his task gets no easier with the visit of third-placed Rotherham.

Gannon has plenty to ponder ahead of the encounter, not least which formation to go with having started with a 4-2-3-1 system against the Imps before moving to a more conventional 4-4-2 in the second half.

Goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson missed his first league game of the season due to a hip injury and will be assessed, while skipper Gareth Owen was left on the bench upon his return from a one-match suspension before being introduced at half-time.

Gannon must now decide the extent of his involvement against Ronnie Moore’s men, along with that of influential midfielder Doug Loft (calf) who made his long-awaited return as a 78th-minute substitute. Forward Sean Rigg (thigh) will again be monitored.

Rotherham manager Ronnie Moore is assessing the fitness of two players.

Defenders Nick Fenton and Dale Tonge picked up knocks in the 4-0 win over Stockport on Saturday but despite missing training, both players are hopeful they will feature at Vale Park.

The Millers will be without midfielder Jason Taylor again as he serves the final game of his three-match suspension, while defender Ryan Cresswell is still sidelined with a broken collarbone.

Striker Tom Pope, who joined Vale on-loan last week, is unable to play against his parent club due to the terms of his loan agreement while fellow frontman Ryan Taylor should keep his place after scoring twice against the Hatters.