Stevenage v Port Vale preview

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Tom Flanagan, Anderson Banvo and Conor Henderson could make their Stevenage debuts at home to Port Vale.

Defender Flanagan has joined on loan from MK Dons, striker Banvo arrived from Blackpool and midfielder Henderson was signed from Hull in time to be an unused substitute in Wednesday night’s 1-0 defeat by Coventry.

Boss Graham Westley moved for the duo after midfielders Dean Parrett (cruciate) and Roarie Deacon (ankle) were ruled out for the rest of the season while Michael Doughty starts a two-match ban.

Steve Arnold could get the nod in goal again after replacing Chris Day, who dropped to the bench in midweek.

The absence of defenders Carl Dickinson and Jack Grimmer means Port Vale manager Micky Adams will be forced to make at least two changes at Stevenage.

Dickinson must serve a one-match suspension after he was sent off for two yellow card offences during the second half of the 5-0 defeat to Bristol City in midweek and Grimmer has been recalled from his loan spell by parent club Fulham.

With Liam Chilvers still recovering from groin surgery, Dan Jones and Chris Robertson could be recalled in defence while midfielder Chris Lines is available again after serving a two-match ban.

The likes of Louis Dodds, Gavin Tomlin, Chris Birchall and Jordan Hugill are also options for Adams.

Stevenage v Port Vale preview

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Stevenage will be without Peter Winn.

The striker was shown a straight red card for a dangerous foul on Sean Clohessy just before half-time in Good Friday’s 1-0 defeat at Southend, a loss which ended Boro’s eight-game unbeaten run.

Winn was one of three changes for the clash, starting ahead of Rob Sinclair who is now pushing to come back in against Vale along with fellow forward Craig Reid who was dropped in favour of Byron Harrison.

Fit-again midfielder Michael Bostwick also came in for defender Luke Foster after recovering from his back injury.

Seventh-placed Stevenage hold the final play-off berth going into the encounter against Vale who sit just three points adrift, but victory for Graham Westley’s side would all but knock the Burslem outfit out of the promotion reckoning.

Port Vale caretaker boss Mark Grew will consider changes.

Vale went into the clash three points outside the play-off points and, despite still sitting within one win of the top seven, passed up the perfect opportunity to draw level with Monday’s opponents Boro who occupy the final coveted berth.

Defeat at Broadhall Way would all but end the Valiants’ promotion ambitions and Grew will look to ensure his side bounce back after Saturday’s performance.

Attacking midfielder Sean Rigg is pushing to start having scored the equaliser within three minutes of coming on as a second-half substitute against the Hatters.

Wholesale changes are unlikely at such a crucial stage of the season, with Grew making just one switch to his starting XI at the weekend. Gary Roberts came in for youngster Sam Morsy in midfield after replacing him at half-time in the previous outing at Torquay.

Midfielder Doug Loft (ruptured hamstring) will not play again this season.