As Shrewsbury Town travel to Burslem in the Checkatrade Trophy this evening, we bring you all the news in build-up to the clash.
Fixture: Port Vale v Shrewsbury Town
Competition: Checkatrade Trophy
Date: Tuesday 5th December 2017
Kick-Off: 7:45pm
Venue: Vale Park
Preview
Vale reached the Round of 32 stage having won their group and they will now face a Shrews side who progressed as runners-up in their own respective group.
Both managers could make several changes to the their teams that played in the Emirates FA Cup last weekend, but both will have an eye on the Round of 16.
With Shrewsbury in the automatic promotion spots in Sky Bet League One and Vale battling at the wrong end of the fourth tier, the away side will travel to Vale Park as favourites.
The Opposition
After finishing 18th in Sky Bet League One last season and avoiding relegation by just two points, Shrewsbury have started this season strongly and they currently lie second behind Wigan Athletic.
Paul Hurst’s men are also still in the Emirates FA Cup following their Second Round win over Morecambe on Saturday, while they finished second in their Checkatrade Trophy group to set up this tie.
The Shrews have lost their last two league fixtures, however, and the Valiants will be hoping to tame them in order to progress in the competition.
Talk
Neil Aspin: “I know Shrewsbury’s manager well. Paul is a really good bloke and he’s doing a great job there - I’m really pleased for him.
“They’ll make a few changes possibly, but they’ve got players who are desperate to get into the team because they’re a successful side.
“They’re in a great position in the league so we are expecting a tough game.
Paul Hurst: “I think Neil Aspin has gone in, got them some results and made them harder to beat in general.
“I know there will be a physical element to their play, which I say as a compliment, and we will have to be able to stand up to that element of it.
“I think he’s changed formation a few times now, so it’s not going to be the easiest one to say ‘this is how they are going to play’.
“I think from certain players in the team you know what you are going to get and in Tom Pope there’s a striker that I think won Player of the Month for October and he is certainly a handful.”
Team News
Vale didn’t pick up any fresh injury concerns during the Emirates FA Cup Second Round stalemate with Yeovil Town, but long term absentees Kjell Knops and Rob Lainton are unavailable for selection.
After suffering multiple injuries during last week’s reserve fixture versus Morecambe, Adam Yates is also sidelined and he will join Joe Davis on the treatment table.
One positive for Vale is Ben Whitfield’s return to training, and after a few days back out on the grass, he could feature in Tuesday’s encounter.
As for Shrewsbury, Paul Hurst has a fully fit squad to choose from after his side came through the weekend’s win over Morecambe unscathed.
Former Vale man, Louis Dodds, could be handed a place in the starting line-up after he came on as a substitute last time out. Some of the Shrews’ key players may be rested, but the Sky Bet League One outfit will be in confident mood.
Coverage
iFollow 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 account: officialpvfc.
Reaction will be available on the official website post-match, as well as on YouTube, iFollow and social media.