Walsall v Port Vale preview

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Walsall will once more boast a full-strength squad for the visit of Port Vale.

Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Sheffield United ensured the Saddlers stretched their unbeaten run to four games in all competitions while they have lost just three of their last 14.

Nicky Featherstone came in for Romaine Sawyers at Bramall Lane, as is often the case away from home, but the latter is likely to be recalled for the clash against Vale at the Banks’s Stadium.

Walsall have already beaten Micky Adams’ side once this term having triumphed 2-1 in the first round of the Capital One Cup.

Dan Jones could come back into the reckoning for Port Vale when they travel to Walsall.

Jones has been out with a foot injury but the left-back resumed training on Thursday and manager Micky Adams will decide on Friday whether to include him in the squad for the weekend.

Doug Loft is expected to be on the sidelines for around three weeks after having his calf scanned this week.

The Vale skipper missed the 2-0 home defeat to Preston on Tuesday night, a result which leaves the Valiants in 10th place in Sky Bet League One but just two points shy of the play-off places.

Walsall v Port Vale preview

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Walsall boss Dean Smith is likely to give one or two of his fringe players a long-awaited chance to shine in the midweek clash.

The Saddlers have remained unchanged for the previous four League One matches and the likes of Ashley Hemmings, Febian Brandy and Richard Taundry will be hoping for chance to show what they can do.

Wholesale changes are unlikely, however, with League Two high-fliers Vale having lost only one of their previous 10 games in all competitions and Walsall keen to enjoy a sustained cup run.

Adam Chambers (hamstring) and twin brother James (thigh) will again be monitored ahead of the clash as they aim to make their respective comebacks, while fellow lengthy absentee Jimmy Walker could potentially make the matchday 16 should he recover from a thigh injury.

Port Vale manager Micky Adams has taken the unusual step of naming his starting line-up more than 24 hours before Tuesday’s clash.

Influential skipper Doug Loft (calf) and goalkeeper Chris Neal (groin strain) are set to miss the second-round tie through injury. And with suspensions looming, Adams has decided to make changes elsewhere.

Sam Johnson will make his debut in goal behind a back four of Adam Yates, John McCombe, Richard Duffy and Rob Taylor.

Jennison Myrie-Williams, Chris Shuker, Ryan Burge and Ashley Vincent are set to line up in midfield, with leading scorer Tom Pope and Ben Williamson up front. Gareth Owen, Louis Dodds, Ryan Lloyd, Kingsley James and Joe Davis will be on the bench.

“We have to make changes, either through injuries or players being very close to suspension. We make no apologies for that but we will still try and win the game,” Adams told the club’s official website. “I am announcing my team for the game nice and early so that people can decide for themselves whether or not they want to come to the game.

“As I said, there are a couple of unforced changes in there because of injuries, and I have decided to rest Sam Morsy and Clayton McDonald as they are both on four bookings and I really don’t want to risk them in a game like that.”