Former striker will want to prove a point

Many experts tipped Chesterfield for promotion at the beginning of the season, but is looking increasingly difficult for the Spireites to finish in the top seven.

They certainly have the quality to beat any side in this division, as they showed when they visited Vale Park back in December, as Mark Grew remembers well.

Micky Adams’ number two recalls: “When they came here they beat us two-nil and they played extremely well and both James O’Shea and Marc Richards did really well.

“I thought when they beat us they would probably go on and make the play-offs, but their home for hasn’t been brilliant, so they have surprised me, but I think they will be there or thereabouts next season.

“When you look at their side they will probably be disappointed they are not in the top seven. There are probably a few teams thinking exactly the same with the budgets they have got.

“Marc Richards was the first one to say he wanted to go to a club to get promoted and it hasn’t worked out quite the way he had wanted, so he probably feels he has got something to prove.

“If we think he is going to do us any favours on Monday then we’re barking up the wrong tree. He’ll be determined to try and stop us going up.

“I think he left us thinking Chesterfield would be a better option for him to get promotion and he has made a mistake. No matter what money he is on, that money becomes irrelevant when you want to get promoted.”

Vale’s assistant manager paid tribute to Vale’s travelling fans and says he is expecting a huge following on Easter Monday and says the supporters can make a huge difference.

“It is classed as a local derby - I know it is an hour and a bit away but every season we go to Chesterfield, whether it is at the new ground or the old one, it was always full of Vale supporters and had a great atmosphere.

“Our supporters this season have been absolutely fantastic. Our away following is superb and I think the last two or three away games they are going to be frightening. If we are going to get promoted, then we need that sort of support.

“When they opposition come out and see the following we have it can affect them. Sometimes it makes the home side feel like they are playing away.

“”There are a lot of teams in our league who will be gutted if we get promoted because of the lost revenue. Our away support is fantastic and it makes a big difference to the players of both teams.”