Port Vale host Morecambe in Sky Bet League Two on Saturday afternoon and you can find all of the key information ahead of the fixture below..
Fixture: Port Vale v Morecambe
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Date: Saturday 3rd February 2018
Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Venue: Vale Park
Preview
With both teams battling towards the lower reaches of Sky Bet League Two, this clash will be touted as a very important fixture as we head into the final third of the season.
Vale come into the game without a win in five fixtures and Neil Aspin will be hoping that February gets off to a positive start on home soil.
Despite their winless month in January, the Valiants still remain undefeated at Vale Park (in the league) since the start of November when they lost to Mansfield Town.
The Opposition
Morecambe currently lie three points and two places below Vale in Sky Bet League Two, with only four points separating them from the relegation places.
Their last victory in the league came back on the 6th of January when they ran out 2-0 winners away to Grimsby Town, a side struggling for form.
Since then, Jim Bentley’s men have earned draws against Stevenage and Newport County, but they have also suffered defeats to Luton Town and most recently, Mansfield Town.
One To Watch - Callum Lang
The 19-year old joined on a season-long loan from Wigan Athletic back in August 2017, and having earned a place in the Morecambe team, the attacking midfielder has caught the eye with some impressive performances.
With 21 appearances under his belt so far this season in all competitions, Lang has scored six goals for the Shrimps, his latest coming during the defeat to Mansfield Town last time out.
Once part of the academy setup at Premier League Liverpool, he will be determined to continue progressing for the remainder of the current campaign before returning to his parent club in the summer.
Talk
Neil Aspin: “There are nine teams fighting to stay in the league and that is a big prize, so every game is a difficult one and each point is vital.
“We need to win games and we would rather do that as soon as possible, but every match is of equal importance.”
Jim Bentley: “Port Vale have some very good players in their ranks including one of the best strikers in the division in Tom Pope.
“They recently beat Luton comfortably at home which says they’re very capable so we know we need to be at our best.”
Team News
Charlie Raglan, Kyle Howkins and Callum Howe will all be in contention to make their Port Vale debuts after signing for the club earlier in the week.
Apart from long-term absentees, Kjell Knops and Adam Yates, Neil Aspin has a fully fit squad to choose from.
As for Morecambe, Reece Deakin is the only definite absentee as he is still recovering from a broken leg.
Coverage
Follow The Vale will be providing full 90 minute commentary from the match, while the Port Vale Twitter and Facebook feed 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.