• Vale winger looking forward to facing his former club

• Says players are enjoying their football under Rob Page

• Former Coventry City player wishes old club success - just not against Vale

Chris Birchall has shared his thoughts on playing against his former team Coventry City for his boyhood club Port Vale this weekend.

Birchall began his career with the Valiants, moving up through the youth team ranks and making his debut in 2001.

He then joined Coventry in July 2006 before going on to rejoin Vale in January 2013 after spells playing for LA Galaxy and Columbus Crew.

Speaking at a press conference today fresh from the club's two week break from any fixtures, the internationally capped 30-year-old has revealed that he is enjoying his time under Rob Page.

He said: "Since Pagey has taken over the lads have just grasped everything he has said and tried to work to whatever his emphasis is.

"We're enjoying training, we're enjoying playing and the results have gone our way, bar a couple but we've had some tough fixtures and hopefully if we win on Saturday we will be right up there."

Vale's two week break did come at a time when English football is generally at its busiest for most clubs and represents a stark contrast to Coventry’s fixture list of late.

The Sky Blues played away at Bristol City on Wednesday night and now face another away trip to Vale Park on Saturday, a combination of fixtures that Birchall believes may shape the way Steven Pressley's side will play this weekend.

“Obviously playing on a Wednesday night is a bit different from the usual Tuesday games," he said.

"They are going to be tired, they were playing away against Bristol and then coming to us as well a few days later, it probably will effect the way they set up.”

Birchall, who is obviously still full of respect for Coventry, a team where he spent three years as a player, described the Sky Blues as a “great club” and one that he expects to be “back in the Championship within a few years”.

The experienced winger also stated that Coventry’s loss of some big names and reliance on younger players may not be a bad thing.

“They’ve lost a few big hitters from last year but the longer the young lads play together and get seasons under their belt the better Coventry will be," he added.

Birchall also wished his former club all the best for the rest of the season, except for this weekend when they visit Vale Park.

"The fan base is still there, they just need to get it right on the pitch, and hopefully they do that throughout the season, but not on Saturday," he said.