Live Commentary

Double doubt for Vale Port Vale will try to patch up Marc Richards and Tom Pope in time for the visit of local rivals Crewe. Richards continues to play through the pain barrier having been plagued by a troublesome ankle injury all season. The Vale captain is delaying having the operation he requires until the club's injury list begins to ease. Fellow forward Pope marked his return from a groin injury by climbing off the bench to score the winning goal against Plymouth the last time Micky Adams' men played 13 days ago. "Our game against Shrewsbury being postponed last weekend will give all the players a chance to recover," said Adams. "Marc and Tom will benefit the most because we need them to be fit and available for the Crewe game. But we also have other players who are playing with knocks." Midfielders Ryan Burge (knee) and Lewis Haldane (broken leg) and defenders Gareth Owen (arm) and Lee Collins (ankle) will remain sidelined. James Tunnicliffe is in line to make his Crewe debut. Wycombe defender Tunnicliffe joined the Railwaymen on loan until March 11 and is expected to go straight into the side as boss Steve Davis deals with a shortage at the back. Centre-back pairing David Artell and Adam Dugdale are suspended after being sent off in the defeat to Barnet a fortnight ago, with the latter facing a three-match ban. Midfielder Lee Bell remains Alex's only injury absentee as he continues his recovery from a hernia operation. Davis is expecting a testing encounter against Vale and is relishing the prospect of a derby atmosphere. "It's a tough game as always," he told BBC Radio Stoke. "Derbies always bring up different things. It's an exciting game - one that the players love to play in and look forward to look."