The Valiants will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run to five games in Sky Bet League Two when MK Dons make the trip to Vale Park on Tuesday evening, and you can find all of the key information ahead of the clash below...
Date: Tuesday 2nd October 2018
Kick-Off: 7:45pm
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Venue: Vale Park
Referee: Ross Joyce
Port Vale
Form: LLWLLLDWWD
Top Scorer: Tom Pope (4 goals)
Neil Aspin will be hoping his side can continue their recent upturn in form by stretching their unbeaten run to five games on Tuesday evening. Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Exeter City also saw the Valiants maintain their impressive home record, having won three, drawn one and lost just one of their Sky Bet League Two games on home soil.
The manager has also named an unchanged starting line-up for the last three fixtures, and it is possible that it could happen once more as there are no fresh injury concerns. James Gibbons and Cristian Montano do remained sidelined through injury, but they are close to a return to full fitness.
One player who has staked a claim for this fixture is Idris Kanu. The 18-year-old striker headed home Vale's last-gasp equaliser against Exeter City last time out and he will be itching to impress once more. Manny Oyeleke and Tom Conlon also look set to continue their partnership in the centre of midfield following a string of standout performances.
MK Dons
Form: DDWLDWDLDD
Top Scorer: Kieran Agard (3 goals)
After suffering relegation to the fourth tier last season, MK Dons have had endured a mixed start to life in Sky Bet League Two. Paul Tisdale's men currently lie 13th in the division having won three and drawing six of their matches, but they have only fallen to defeat on one occasion.
That loss came back on the 22nd September as they were edged out by high-flying Lincoln City, but they have recovered with two draws against Yeovil Town and Tranmere Rovers during the last week. However, failing to convert performances into results has been an issue and they are on a five-game winless run in the league.
They did gain a penalty shootout win against Peterborough United in the Checkatrade Trophy, but MK Dons will be determined to start clocking up some victories in Sky Bet League Two. With their current form in mind, Tisdale will have decisions to make on how he will set his team up. Peter Pawlett and Conor McGrandles are certain absentees, whilst Lawson D’Ath, Ryan Harley and Mathieu Baudry are all doubts.
One To Watch: Kieran Agard
Having spent time in the youth systems of both Arsenal and Everton, Agard made his professional debut for the Toffees away at Hull City in the League Cup in September 2009, a game in which they won 4-0. He then made his Premier League bow as a substitute against Chelsea, but he was released at the end of the 2010/11 campaign.
Spells at Yeovil Town, Rotherham United and Bristol City followed before the striker made the move to Milton Keynes in August 2016, with the club paying a record fee for his services. In his first game for the club he bagged a brace in a 2-2 draw at home to Millwall.
He went on to score 14 goals during the 2016/17 season, but he struggled for form last year as MK Dons were relegated from Sky Bet League One, finding the net on just eight occasions. So far this season, the 28-year-old has three goals to his name from 10 appearances and he will be looking to add to that tally.
Talk
Neil Aspin: "I think Milton Keynes are a very good footballing team from what I've seen on the clips. They try to play like Manchester City in terms of making the pitch big, playing out from the back, and having centre-backs willing to push high in a really expansive game.
"They are a side who can cause you problems if it all clicks together. At the moment they're probably just waiting for that to happen, but when it does they will fancy their chances.
"It's a team that will present different problems for us, but we have to see if we can impose ourselves onto them and cause them issues."
George Williams: “Port Vale is another long one but hopefully we can do the right things and send the supporters home happy with a win.
“If you can put a couple of results together, your league position can change dramatically. We’re not panicking.”
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.