Defender keen to return to the side
Defender Carl Dickinson will attend this weekend’s game at Bramall Lane, despite admitting he doesn’t particularly enjoy watching games from the stand.
Dickinson must sit out the game against Sheffield United after picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign during the home defeat to Peterborough United on Saturday.
He is targeting a return to the Vale side for Tuesday’s long trip to Crawley, but knows if the team get a win against the Blades, Micky Adams may well decide to stick to the same side for the match at the Checkatrade.com Stadium.
Dickinson said: “I am gutted at the way I got the yellow card on Saturday, it’s shame, but I will keep my head down all week, work hard, keep myself fit and make sure I am ready come next Tuesday to be available.
“I watched Sheffield United on the telly on Sunday and in the first half I think everybody would have expected it to finish four or maybe five, but in the second half Sheffield kept plugging away and could have probably got a draw in the end.
“Every game is going to be difficult this season, but there’s no reason why we can’t go there and put on a performance and get a result.”
With the appointment of Nigel Clough apparently imminent, the Blades could have a new boss in place by the weekend and that is something that could lift the players ahead of Vale’s visit.
Dickinson commented: “If it was me personally, I would be thinking it is my chance to show what I can do and if I did get picked it would then be up to me to keep the shirt.
“I am not sure if there will be a new manager in place, but it looks quite like Nigel Clough is going to get it and he could be appointed before the weekend. If he is, then it is something we have to deal with.
“At the end of the day, it’s not about Nigel Clough if he gets it, it is about the eleven men in front of us. It’s eleven men against eleven men and we have to go out there and beat them.
“At the end of the day there is no reason why we can’t go there and get a result. They are probably a bit low on confidence.
“It will be a tough game but I think we have got the lads to hopefully go there, get a result, then kick on a little run.”