Gannon prepares for Vale bow

07 January 2011 10:00
New Port Vale manager Jim Gannon starts his tenure with an FA Cup third-round trip to Burnley. The former Stockport, Motherwell and Peterborough boss was announced as Micky Adams` successor on Thursday morning and will take his place in the Vale dugout for the first time at Turf Moor. However, Gannon will be without star striker Marc Richards and in-form midfielder Doug Loft. Fourteen-goal frontman Richards, who would have been suspended for the clash in any case having received two yellow cards during Monday`s win over Burton, sustained a Grade Two tear to a thigh muscle in the same game and is now facing six weeks on the sidelines. Loft, meanwhile, missed the encounter altogether and scans have highlighted a tear to his calf so he will be missing for four weeks. Goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson is able to feature after his appeal against the red card he was shown at Rotherham on New Year`s Day was successful.

Source: PA