Port Vale v Crawley preview

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Port Vale manager Rob Page will select his starting line-up for the home game against Crawley from an unchanged group of players.

Any alterations to the team will be kept to a minimum and the former Wales international defender could even start with the same XI that began Saturday’s defeat to Swindon. That side saw just one enforced change with Ryan McGivern replacing the injured Ryan Inniss in defence.

The likes of Richard Duffy, Chris Birchall, Louis Dodds and Colin Daniel are options for Page, though.

Striker Achille Campion will be hoping to be involved after being left out of the matchday squad in recent weeks.

Crawley are likely to be unchanged again after boosting their survival bid with a 3-2 win over fellow strugglers Colchester.

Defenders Dean Leacock (groin) and Lanre Oyebanjo (hamstring) are still missing along with midfield duo Conor Henderson (ankle) and Josh Simpson (hamstring).

But midfielder Marvin Elliott returned as a substitute at the weekend having missed the previous four games with a hamstring injury and should be involved again.

Striker Gavin Tomlin will be back on familiar territory having scored seven goals in 28 appearances for Vale last season.

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Port Vale v Crawley preview

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Carl Dickinson comes back into the reckoning for Port Vale as they prepare for Crawley’s visit to Vale Park.

Dickinson missed the 1-1 draw at Stevenage on Saturday through suspension but his return adds to manager Micky Adams’ defensive options ahead of Tuesday night’s game.

Following the 5-0 defeat to Bristol City, Adams made six changes to his starting line-up against Stevenage. Ben Williamson was out with an ankle injury and replaced by Gavin Tomlin, while Joe Davis came into central defence in place of loanee Jack Grimmer, who has been recalled by parent club Fulham.

Chris Robertson, Daniel Jones, Chris Birchall and Chris Lines were also recalled in place of Adam Yates, Dickinson, Jennison Myrie-Williams and Anthony Griffith. It remains to be seen whether Williamson will recover in time to feature against the Reds and Dickinson may have to make do with a place on the bench.

Matt Tubbs should return to the Crawley squad for the trip to Port Vale.

The striker was absent from Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Preston to rest a minor hamstring niggle, a problem manager John Gregory put down to Town’s hectic recent fixture schedule.

Paul Connolly also rested a similar fatigue-related knock and could return but fellow defender Kyle McFadzean completes a two-match ban.

On-loan Swansea winger Gwion Edwards will be hoping to make his debut after watching from the bench at the weekend.

Port Vale v Crawley preview

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Port Vale manager Micky Adams has a full squad to choose from.

Summer signings Kingsley James, Phil Roe, Clayton McDonald, Mike Green, Ben Williamson, Ryan Burge and local boy Tom Pope, who spent time on loan at Vale Park last term, will all be hoping to feature for the club.

Striker Marc Richards will captain the side should he be selected. The 29-year-old was installed as skipper in February by former boss Jim Gannon.

Adams said: “I don’t see any reason to change it. He will lead the side out on Saturday – if he is in the team.”

Adams believes Vale are underdogs going into the first game of the season at Vale Park.

He added: “Crawley are the bookmakers’ favourites, and you never see a bookmaker riding a bike do you? It’s a tough, tough opening fixture but we are looking forward to it.”

Hope Akpan will be missing when Crawley play their first game in the Football League.

The young midfielder, a summer signing from Everton, was sent off towards the end of last Friday’s Carling Cup preliminary-round win over AFC Wimbledon and serves a one-match ban.

Scott Neilson, who was on the bench against the Dons, could come into the starting line-up.

Town’s only other absentees are skipper Pablo Mills, who is recovering from ankle surgery and will be out for another three weeks, and fellow defender Jamie Day who has a back problem.

Winger Willie Gibson could be added to the squad despite continuing speculation linking him with a return to Scotland with St Johnstone.