Port Vale striker Richie Bennett says he's fully focused on retaining his spot in the starting eleven at Newport County tomorrow, after waiting patiently for his chance over the summer.

'Benno' has been in great form so far this season and clinical in front of goal, having found the back of the net on three occasions in six games this season with his first coming against Salford City a few weeks ago. 

The striker signed a one year deal for the Vale in the summer after spending the remainder of last season on loan at Morecambe, where his five goals proved vital in their successful attempt to avoid the drop.

Despite his fine form at Morecambe, Askey didn't rush Bennett into the starting line-up at the start of the season. After his first goal at Salford, the manager rewarded the striker for his patience and goal with a start against Forest Green Rovers just three days later, where he once again found the back of the net. 

With Newport County in his sights, Bennett says the Vale are expecting an ugly game but one he wants to be leading the line for after waiting eagerly at the start of the season to show what he can do.

"It's keeping my head and part of the football game. You've got people like Cullen and Pope and you have to be patient, I came in and knew it wasn't going to be easy with the likes of Tom and Culls in the team.

"It's always going to be difficult with where they've come from and the experience they've had. It was just about myself and waiting and being patient for my time to get my head down.

"The gaffers had a few words saying the same thing, just to be patient and wait for your time and when your time comes make sure you have a postive impact on the game, whether that's scoring a goal or creating goal. Just making sure you're in the right frame of mind to make sure you can help the team when you're called upon.

A win for the Vale tomorrow would shape an excellent start to the season for John Askey and his side against a team who have also had a very good start to the season. Newport head into the game 16 unbeaten in the league, conceding in just one game since the start of the season.

Frustration has been a word used many times amongst the players and managing staff, after Vale failed to see out results which would've secured them three points on many occasions against tough opposition. The Valiants have taken the lead in every league game so far this season, but only come away with two wins.

WIth the opportunity of picking up a first away win of the season tomorrow, Richie Bennett says the team are in a great frame of mind heading to Wales for the game.

"We had a tough start to the season when you look at the fixtures. Looking back on it there's a little bit of disappointment because we feel like we could've had more points on the board. 

"Looking back when you have the fixtures we had we probably would've taken the points that we've got. Like I said, there's a little bit of dissapointment but there's a lot of positives and belief in the team that we've started like we have and there's a lot to build on.

"Our teams getting stronger day by day, you look at the squad that we've got now, our bench is really strong and we're all in positive mind going into Saturday."