Striker says heavy pitch is same for both sides

Vale take on Crawley Town at Vale Park tonight hoping to follow up their win at the Checkatrade.com Stadium back in October complete the double over the Red Devils.

Heavy rain affected the state of the Vale Park pitch when Vale took on Brighton in the FA Cup at the weekend and more of the wet stuff since will make playing conditions even more difficult.

It certainly takes its toll on the legs of the players, but striker Gavin Tomlin refuses to use that as an excuse and says Vale have to just get on with it.

He said: “When you play at home more often than the other team it wears on you, but it is the same for both teams on the day so there are no excuses.

“I don’t think if you wear studs it is going to make much difference out there, you are still going to slip, but that’s the way it is.

“It is important for us to take advantage of the pitch in home games and hopefully that will continue tonight against Crawley Town.

“We will come out ready to go and we need the three points and everybody is up for it.

“My hamstring is fine now. I have done my rehab with the Physio – he doesn’t get much credit for the work he does but he is really good and I am back now and ready.”