Port Vale manager Neil Aspin is hoping his side can pick up their first three points in 2018, when Newport County visit Vale Park on Saturday.

The Valiants came within minutes of picking up a point at Swindon last weekend, but a Paul Mullin strike in the 88th minute meant Vale had now picked up just three points in the new year.

Manager Neil Aspin will be looking to end the disappointing run this Saturday when Vale host Newport County, but wants his players to remain focused on the pitch.

"At the moment, I'm not going to dress things up. We're having a difficult spell, we've obviously got players who are not playing at their best.

"There is a lack of confidence and results when you're not winning games. It's difficult as a manager when you're not winning games and of course you feel the pressure, because we're all anxious to get that result.

"Until we get a win then that pressure will continue to build. We are desperate for a win but that desperation can't come across in a game, you've got to do your jobs properly and we've got to cut out the mistakes we make at the moment."

The gaffer also stressed the importance captain Tom Pope plays for his side. The striker has scored 16 goals so far this season, and is just two goals off from becoming the joint top scorer at Vale Park. 

Pope has made 38 appearances this season for the Valiants and the manager confirmed despite the starts, the striker has been playing with an injury but was full of praise about his attitude he shows and hopes the younger players look up to him.

"It's no secret, he's playing with an injury. The type of lad he is, and because he's so important, obviously any chance we can have to get him on the pitch we'll keep doing that.

"He's not been 100% but you'll still have Tom Pope in your team even when he's not 100%.

"We want all the younger players to look at the older players in the team, Michael Tonge, Danny Pugh, Antony Kay, Tom Pope, and they need to use them for examples of people who have played for a lot of years but who have still got a desire to keep playing and have a got lot of pride in the way they go about their business."

Neil Aspin also confirmed in his press conference today that midfielder Antony Kay will be out for up to 4 weeks, as he requires a hernia operation. We wish him a speedy recovery.