John Askey has praised Luke Joyce who has been influential at the heart of Vale's midfield so far this campaign.
Luke Joyce has started every league game for the Valiants so far this season, and has been instrumental during the Vale's strong run of form recently.
Askey has emphasised how Joyce should take confidence from his start to the season and that he thoroughly deserves his place in the side.
The Vale gaffer also spoke about how the 32-year-old can help the likes of Jake Taylor and Scott Burgess who have both had a good run in the midfield of late.
“I think he [Luke Joyce], has played every game so he knows pretty much certain that he’s going to play so it gives him confidence, if he keeps doing what he’s doing he has every right to play as well.
“The main thing is that he’s playing well and that’s what you want from all of you players, but there is a lot of competition in midfield and he knows that, but he’s responded well to that.
“I think they’re [Jake Taylor and Scott Burgess] learning from playing, and having Joycey behind them can obviously help them but I think the main thing for those two is that they’re starting to play regularly."
The Vale travel to MK Dons in the FA Cup first round tomorrow afternoon, and Askey says that his side are confident following a win at Crewe last week but will not get ahead of themselves.
With just one loss in their last nine in all competitions, the Valiants are on a strong run of form lately in contrast to tomorrow's opponents who sit in the relegation zone in League One, but the Vale gaffer has stressed that anything can happen in the cup.
The Vale failed to reach the second round of the famous competition last term, yet Askey admits that if the Vale are to win at MK Dons tomorrow, the prize money can possibly make things easier if the club are looking to bring anybody in.
“It’s always special when you play in the FA Cup, you always get that feeling and you’re a little bit more relaxed when you go out and play because it’s a cup competition and with all the competitions, there’s nothing like the FA Cup.
“We’re confident but we’re not getting too ahead of ourselves and carried away, we know we’ve got to work hard whoever we play and it’s on the day, especially in the cup.
"There are other priorities in the club that the money needs to be spent on, but if we are to get through then that should make things easier if we do need to bring anybody in."