Port Vale V Hartlepool at Vale Park : Match Preview

11 August 2014 15:31
Port Vale V Hartlepool - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Vale wait on Daniel

Port Vale will check on Colin Daniel ahead of the visit of Hartlepool in the Capital One Cup.

The midfielder, a summer signing from Mansfield, missed Vale's opening-day draw against Walsall with an ankle injury but manager Micky Adams hopes he will be available to make his debut - be it from the beginning or the bench - on Tuesday night.

Goalkeeper Sam Johnson is likely to keep his place after edging out Chris Neal for the number one spot at the weekend.

Steven Jennings and Michael Brown may be handed their full debuts after appearances from the bench against the Saddlers while the likes of Ryan Lloyd, Adam Yates, Chris Robertson and Chris Birchall are also options for Adams should he wish to make changes to his starting XI.

Hartlepool manager Colin Cooper may opt to tinker with his starting line-up.

Cooper has no new injury or suspension worries but could hand starts to winger Ryan Brobbel and midfielder Jonathan Franks, who both impressed after stepping off the substitutes' bench in Saturday's defeat at Stevenage.

Goalkeeper Andy Rafferty remains sidelined due to an injury sustained in training last week so Joel Dixon, drafted in on loan from Sunderland, will resume as back-up to number one Scott Flinders.

Michael Woods, another summer signing, could make his first competitive appearance for the club after the midfielder was an unused substitute at the weekend.


Source: PA