Port Vale V Rotherham at Vale Park : Match Preview

07 September 2012 11:31
Port Vale V Rotherham - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.

Same again for Adams? Manager Micky Adams must decide whether to pick an unchanged team for the sixth successive game when Port Vale take on Rotherham. It is likely he will after Vale beat League One leaders Tranmere 2-0 in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in midweek, although Adams was quick to play down the result against a much-changed Rovers side. Vale have won three and drawn one of the five matches that Adams has not tinkered with the starting XI. "In terms of team selection we have decided to go with the boys that have been playing well as a unit," said Adams. "We have got competition for places with boys on the sidelines itching for an opportunity, but we have been justified in our decisions. "It was another clean sheet [on Tuesday night], which will give confidence to the goalkeeper and the back four. But we picked up a couple of sloppy bookings and we were letting too many crosses in late on, as can happen in cup games, and we need to make sure that doesn't happen in the league." Adams has fit-again duo Gareth Owen and Rob Taylor available, along with defender Adam Yates, midfielders Ryan Burge and Ryan Lloyd and striker Ben Williamson, should he wish to make any changes. Rotherham boss Steve Evans has a defensive conundrum. Makeshift right-back Mark Bradley tweaked a hamstring in Tuesday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat against York and is ruled out, meaning Evans may have to throw in fit-again Nicky Hunt (hamstring) despite only having one reserve appearance under his belt. The former Bolton defender and fellow right-back Dale Tonge (Achilles) made their return to action in Wednesday's second-string clash with Gateshead, where new signing Craig Morgan also got some game time. If Evans thinks Morgan has enough in his legs the former Preston man could come in at central defence, allowing Johnny Mullins to move along to the full-back spot. To add an extra dimension to Evans' problem, midfielder Kari Arnason, who has been filling in at centre-back in recent weeks, is on international duty with Iceland. Elsewhere, Evans is expected to recall four of the players he left out in midweek, so Scott Shearer, David Noble, Kayode Odejayi and Daniel Nardiello should all start.

Source: PA