Johnson to debut as Adams names Walsall line-up
Manager Micky Adams has announced that keeper Sam Johnson will make his first-team debut after he announced his team to face Walsall over 24 hours ahead of time.
Adams told the official Port Vale website: “We have to make changes, either through injuries or players being very close to suspension. We make no apologies for that but we will still try and win the game.
“We have got to make changes because Chris Neal and Doug Loft are not fit. Chris Neal is out with a groin strain and Doug Loft unfortunately has a calf injury.
“I am announcing my team for the game nice and early so that people can decide for themselves whether or not they want to come to the game.
“Sam Johnson will start in goal, I think that will be his debut . We are going with Adam Yates, John McCombe, Richard Duffy and Rob Taylor in our back four.
“Jennison Myrie-Williams, Chris Shuker, Ryan Burge and Ashley Vincent will play in midfield, with Tom Pope and Ben Williamson up front.
“Subs will be Gareth Owen, Louis Dodds, Ryan Lloyd, Kingsley James and Joe Davis.
“As I said, there are a couple of unforced changes in there because of injuries, and I have decided to rest Sam Morsy and Clayton McDonald who are both on four bookings at the moment and I really don’t want to risk them in a game like that.”
Vale: Johnson, Yates, McCombe, Duffy, Taylor, Myrie-Williams, Shuker, Burge, Vincent, Pope, Williamson
Subs: Owen, Dodds, Lloyd, James, Davis
Sam Johnson factfile
Name:
Sam Johnson
Date of birth:
1st December 1992
Other clubs:
none
A commanding figure at six foot six inches tall, Johnson turned professional in the summer of 2011. He agreed a one year contract extension in the summer of 2012.