Boss relishes the opportuntiy to put on a show

Boss Micky Adams has ruled out skipper Doug Loft for tonight’s televised match against Oxford United, but says goalkeeper Chris Neal we be back in the side after missing the Johnstone's Paint Trophy win at Walsall

He said: “Lofty has a tear in his calf. We have had that scanned and he will be out for a couple of weeks, I would imagine and he is definitely out for tonight’s game. Chris Neal has trained and he is going to be fit.

“Lofty is very versatile and generally the captain stays on the pitch and leads by example and he has done just that.

“We will miss him, but it’s a squad game and it gives other people an opportunity to stake a claim to a regular place.”

The Vale manager is looking forward to the opportunity to show Sky viewers what the Vale are all about this season and of course to keep on the tails of leaders Gillingham.

“I will be disappointed if we don’t relish the opportunity to put on a show. I think Oxford will be thinking exactly the same, it’s a chance for them to showcased themselves as individuals and as a team.

“It’s a decent game for us. I think that after the last disappointing home performance it’s a good game for us.

“We generally play better under the lights anyway, the atmosphere is better, the fans will come and although we are on the telly and that will keep a few away, but we are looking forward to it.

The Vale manager will welcome Oxford boss Chris Wilder to Vale Park this evening. Wilder is played under Micky Adams and the man in charge at Vale Park expects him to have a successful future in the game.

He said: “I’ve got a lot of time for Chris. I think he will be one of the top managers, or top coaches, if he is given the opportunity to.

“Oxford started of terrifically well. I think they were top of the league after the first thee games, but like I have keep saying, early doors get as many points on the board as you possibly can.

“You are going to go on a run someday when you don’t pick up points, and that’s been proven with Oxford, but they’ve had a lot of injuries.

“Looking at them in the last couple of weeks, they have managed to get a few more players fit. Maybe they have had one eye on this Sky game to get their major players fit.”