Port Vale face Grimsby Town this afternoon for their first away fixture in the month of October, and you can find all the relevant information regarding the fixture, below…
Date: Saturday 6th October 2018
Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Venue: Blundell Park
Referee: Andy Haines
Port Vale
Form: LWLLLDWWDL
Top Scorer: Tom Pope (4 goals)
Neil Aspin will be looking for his side to bounce back after their first loss in five games last Tuesday against MK Dons, as an injury hit travel to Blundell Park. Goals from Chuks Aneke and Kieran Agard ended Port Vale’s four-game unbeaten run as Vale were downed 2-0 under the lights at Vale Park.
Despite the loss during the week, Aspin’s side will have reason to believe heading into this weekend’s fixture, having picked up their first away win since December 2017 against rivals Crewe Alexandra just a few weeks back. The tie against Grimsby comes as Vale’s first game on the road since the derby day win.
Port Vale have been seriously injury-hit over the past few weeks and a number of regular first-teamers are set to miss out. Emmanuel Oyeleke will be unavailable for the tie after hobbling off with a hamstring injury last Tuesday and Cristian Montano will also miss out due to a long-term knee injury. The fixture comes too early for James Gibbons and Scott Quigley as both remain side-lined with respective hip and thigh injuries, though Pope and Ben Whitfield are expected to play after shaking off knocks.
Grimsby Town
Form: DDLLWLLLLW
Top Scorer: Jordan Cook (2 goals)
Grimsby will have their tales up heading into the league two fixture having ended a run of six straight league defeats last Tuesday, picking up a 1-0 win away to Carlisle United. The win comes as only their second of the season having drawn two and lost their other seven fixtures. A win for Michael Jolley’s side would leave them just three points behind Vale, though currently sit in 22nd position.
The Mariners are expected to be without their skipper John Welsh for the tie with a back injury and Jordan Cook faces a late fitness test to determine whether he is fit to play. Despite making his first appearance of the season against Carlisle last Tuesday, Harry Caldwell is expected to return to the bench.
One to watch: Elliot Embleton
19-year-old midfielder who plays on the right-hand side of midfield for the Mariners, on loan from League One outfit, Sunderland. Embleton was named as a substitute on six occasions during the 2016/17 Premier League season, though had to wait until the following season to make his debut for the Black Cats, where he came on as a substitute in a 0-0 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The midfielder has represented England at Under-17 level, all the way through to Under-20s and took part in the 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, scoring in the opening game against Turkey.
The teenager joined Grimsby Town in August 2018 on loan until January 2019 and has scored one goal so far this season.
Talk
Neil Aspin: "You want to be picking from a full-strength squad. Obviously, you have to try and put out your best team but it's something we're just going to have to cope with. We'll have to look at what team we can play Saturday, but certainly when you're trying to pick a settled team it's disappointing when you get injuries and you can't do that."
Michael Jolley: "I think League Two’s like that. I don’t think many people thought we’d go to Carlisle and get the victory. I think it’s an unpredictable league, but Port Vale have been around this level for a while and they know it well. Neil Aspin’s an experienced manager, so it’s another big test for us, but it’s one that we’re looking forward to."
Coverage
Follow The Vale will be providing full 90 minute commentary from the match, whilst the Port Vale Twitter and Facebook feeds will be providing live updates for the entirety.
There will also be build-up to the game with the official Snapchat and Instagram accounts: officialpvfc.
Reaction will be available on the official website post-match, as well as on YouTube, iFollow and social media.