Port Vale v Bradford City preview

admin

Micky Adams has hinted at changes to his Port Vale team for the visit of Bradford.

The Vale manager described the performance during last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Colchester as ‘poor’ and ‘lacking enthusiasm’.

The Valiants, promoted last season along with Bradford, have options. Striker Ben Williamson staked his claim for a starting role with a goal for the reserves in midweek in a game that also saw Kaid Mohamed, Chris Shuker, Chris Birchall and Louis Dodds get a run out as they look to force their way into Adams’ line up.

Assistant manager Mark Grew told the club’s official website: “We can’t do anything about what happened at Colchester. We don’t dwell on things, that’s gone and it’s history now. It’s all about this Saturday and the lads have been working hard in training because we all know this game is a big one for us.”

Bradford winger Mark Yeates is expected to shake off a minor shoulder problem in time to face Port Vale.

Summer signing Yeates, an impressive goalscorer in last week’s 4-0 rout of Carlisle, was withdrawn from the action with 20 minutes to go, but has trained with the squad this week.

Manager Phil Parkinson’s only other injury concern is Carl McHugh, who took a knock to the ribs in the midweek friendly against Bradford Park Avenue and missed training on Thursday as a precaution, but the defender is expected to be included.

Midfielder Kyle Reid and recent signing Raffaele De Vita are both pushing for recalls to the starting line-up.