Port Vale host Yeovil Town in Sky Bet League Two on Tuesday evening, and John Askey will be searching for his second successive win as Vale boss following victory over Mansfield Town at the weekend. Here's all you need to know ahead of the fixture...
Fixture: Port Vale vs Yeovil Town
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Date: Tuesday 12th March 2019
Kick-Off: 7:45pm
Venue: Vale Park
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
Port Vale
Form: WLLDLLLLDW
League Position: 21st
Top Scorer: Tom Pope (11 goals)
The Valiants picked up their first win under manager John Askey on Saturday as they ran out 2-1 winners at home to high-flying Mansfield Town, and they will be looking to build on that with another set of three points when Yeovil make the trip to Burslem.
Ricky Miller scored both of his side's goals and he will be determined to add to his tally on Tuesday evening, and he could start up front again once more in the place of Tom Pope who remains doubtful due to a knee injury. Askey has no other fresh concerns, however, and he has the rest of the squad to select from.
Saturday's impressive performance pleased the boss, and the result lifted Vale seven points clear of the bottom two in Sky Bet League Two. With Yeovil sitting just one place below the Valiants in the table, the hosts will see this as a real opportunity to pull further away from danger and alleviate the relegation worries.
Yeovil Town
Form: WLLLLLLWWL
League Position: 22nd
Top Scorer: Alex Fisher (8 goals)
It has been a difficult season in the fourth tier for Darren Way's men, and they lie just six points above 23rd-placed Macclesfield Town, so they will be eager to come away from Vale Park with a much needed victory. The Glovers have fallen to defeat in 11 of their 18 away fixtures, however.
Their defeat to table-topping Lincoln City on friday night saw them fail to gain ground on the teams above them, but they have seen a recent upturn in form, with victories over Cambridge United and Morecambe preceding that loss at Sincil Bank.
Way has no new injury worries to contend with as Gary Warren (hamstring) and Sessi D'Almeida (shoulder) edge their way closer to a return to the first-team fold. Academy product Gabby Rogers featured for the Under-18s at the weekend, and his comeback from an ankle injury means that the Yeovil manager has a strong squad to choose from.
One to watch: Tom James
Having progressed through the youth sytem at Cardiff City, James was released from his contract in January 2017 and he made the move to Somerset. Since then, the defender has established himself as an important player for the Glovers, and he has been an ever present this season.
The 22-year-old also has a goal in him, and he has chipped in with five strikes in the league, plus one in the Checkatrade Trophy which came against West Ham United U23s.
He served a suspension recently due to picking up a red card versus Cheltenham Town at the start of February, but the Welshman has returned to the starting line-up during the last two games and he will be looking to find his best form once more as his side battle against the drop.
Talk
John Askey: "We've got to take heart and confidence from the victory over Mansfield and take it into the game on Tuesday. Our game is about passing, moving and closing teams down.
"It's another big game and if we win we pull ourselves clear of Yeovil a little bit, so it's another cup final - so far we have responded when we've been in that position."
Darren Way: "The players are doing the club proud and they're giving absolutely everything. They've got bundles of energy. I think in the first half (against Lincoln City), they showed no fear.
"When the goal went in, I think they weren't as brave and didn't have as much courage, but that happens. But overall I'd say that will stand that team in good stead."
Coverage
iFollow The Vale will be providing full 90 minute commentary from the match, whilst the Port Vale Twitter and Facebook feeds will be providing live updates for the entirety.
There will also be build-up to the game with the official Snapchat and Instagram accounts: officialpvfc.
Reaction will be available on the official website post-match, as well as on YouTube, iFollow and social media.