Port Vale v Burton preview

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Manager Micky Adams may freshen up his team.

Adams made three changes from the side that beat Cheltenham at home last Friday when Vale travelled to Chesterfield on Monday.

Two were enforced with Louis Dodds (ankle) and Lee Hughes (hamstring) missing out through injury, while the fit-again Darren Purse replaced Jamie McCombe at centre-half.

It remains to be seen whether Dodds or Hughes will recover in time to return to the squad on Friday night.

Chris Birchall could be in line for a recall after coming on after just 37 minutes to stiffen up the midfield against the Spireites.

Sam Morsy was an unused substitute at the Proact Stadium on his return from suspension, while fellow midfielder Chris Shuker, who set up Tom Pope’s late equaliser on Monday, and striker Ben Williamson will also be fresh.

Victory for Vale would move them five points behind Gillingham ahead of the league leaders hosting Torquay on Saturday.

Burton will check on Billy Kee ahead of their trip.

Kee is nursing a hamstring injury following the 3-3 draw with Accrington on Monday. The striker played through the pain at the Crown Ground and is now a doubt for Friday night.

Albion boss Gary Rowett will have his fingers crossed for positive news on Kee, who has scored 13 goals this season, especially as Calvin Zola is still struggling with a long-standing hamstring and hip problem and Michael Symes continues to look off the pace after suffering a groin strain a month ago.

Should there be a shortage of strikers, winger Alex MacDonald, who played 70 minutes against Accrington as a centre-forward, could move inside.

One player who will definitely miss out is suspended midfielder Robbie Weir who completes a two-match ban.

Victory for Burton would move them into third place, a point behind Vale, ahead of Saturday’s fixtures.

Port Vale v Burton preview

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Port Vale will check on Marc Richards and Clayton McDonald ahead of the game.

Club captain Richards pulled out of the squad to face Accrington on Saturday morning after he was struck down by illness and the striker will continue to be assessed. Tom Pope will keep his place in the team should Richards not make it.

Richards’ withdrawal left Vale, who are on the brink of administration for the second time in just over eight years, with only four substitutes.

Manager Micky Adams revealed after the 2-2 draw at Accrington that the club could not afford midfielder Kingsley James’ travelling expenses from his family home in Sheffield to link up with the squad.

McDonald failed to reappear for the second half against Stanley because of a hamstring problem and a late decision will be made on the defender’s fitness.

Meanwhile, under-pressure Burton boss Paul Peschisolido may have a stronger squad to choose from for this fixture.

Peschisolido, who met with chairman Ben Robinson on Monday to discuss his future after a 2-0 home defeat to Southend at the weekend extended Albion’s winless run to 11 matches, had to name youth-team striker Evan Garnett on the bench against the Shrimpers because of the club’s injury problems.

Joint-leading scorer Billy Kee was ruled out for the remainder of the season last week as he awaits a groin operation.

Fellow forward Calvin Zola (calf), skipper John McGrath (ankle) and midfielder Jacques Maghoma (hamstring) were also absent on Saturday.

However, Peschisolido is hopeful the trio will return to contention for the game at Vale Park.

Port Vale v Burton preview

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Port Vale caretaker manager Geoff Horsfield could ring the changes as he looks to end his side’s three-match losing streak against in-form Burton.

The Valiants have conceded eight goals and scored none in their last two matches, losing 3-0 and 5-0 to Gillingham and Rotherham respectively, sparking fears their promotion push could be derailed by former boss Micky Adams’ departure.

Robert Taylor, Kris Taylor, Lewis Haldane and Sean Rigg all have cases for being recalled after watching the club’s biggest league defeat of the season against the Millers from the substitutes bench.

Goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson will continue in goal despite receiving his marching orders 32 minutes into the defeat for a foul outside the area on Marcus Marshall.

After analysing video footage of the incident, Horsfield has launched an appeal and is confident the decision will be overturned and no suspension will be served. However, if unsuccessful, Tomlinson will begin a three-match ban against Burnley in the FA Cup.

Burton have no new problems ahead of the trip to Port Vale.

Aaron Webster only resumed training on Friday following a calf injury and the versatile 30-year-old came on as a substitute during the goalless home stalemate against Shrewsbury on New Year’s Day.

He is in contention to return to the starting line-up while Jimmy Phillips, Ryan Austin and Greg Pearson will also hope to be recalled.

Shaun Harrad was left out of the squad on Saturday as rumours continue to circulate about a potential move away from the Pirelli Stadium and it remains to be seen if the striker will be included this time around.

Defender Tony James continues to struggle with a hamstring problem.