Port Vale defender Nathan Smith says the team are well aware how big tomorrow's fixture against Notts County is for the club and will be treating it like a "cup final".

The Vale are without a win since mid-January when they beat Crawley Town thanks to a first half Ricky Miller strike.

This poor run of form for the club has left the Valiants sat flirting with relegation again in 22nd and three points off the drop zone, a position that could soon get worse should Vale fail to improve their form.

With Notts County sat just fives points below the Vale, defender Nathan Smith says it's the perfect opportunity to pull away from the Magpies by picking up a win tomorrow afternoon.

"It's like a cup final to everybody. We know we're only three points above the relegation zone and they're below us, so it's effectively it's one of those six pointers.

"We know how important it is going into it. Especially every other game it's just as important, if we win we can't get caught it's as simple as that.

"I look around and we've got a good squad. I definitely think we've got enough (to survive) especially when we've played against the top teams in this league. I don't think there's much difference between ourselves on our day but we've not had enough days this year."

One of the younger players in the team at the age of 22, Nathan Smith has made over 140 appearances for the Vale which is a fantastic achievement at such a young age.

Within those 140 appearances it's safe to say that Smudge has played under a number of different managers and styles. John Askey is the defenders fourth manager since making his debut against Bradford City under Bruno Ribiero.

Despite playing under several different managers in his young Port Vale career, Smith says he copes with the changes just fine and has adapted comfortably to the ideas John Askey has set in place.

"I think after playing under a few managers, you cope with the change over a lot better than the first one because it's a new thing for you.

"I'm enjoying working under Askey and I think everyone's buying into what he's all about. He's all about hard work and if you put the work in for him he'll be happy.

"I think it'll come together hopefully this weekend and then we can kick on."