Port Vale forward duo get chance to push for starting place
Port Vale forwards Jordan Archer and Rhys Browne are both set to play in a reserve game against Scunthorpe United.
The Sentinel newspaper reports that first-teamers Jonny Maddison, Kieran Kennedy, Shaun Brisley, Ryan Lloyd, Jordan Archer and Rhys Browne are all set to start Tuesday’s game.
Young professionals defender Ryan Campbell-Gordon, midfielder Alex Hurst and midfielder Lucas Green-Birch will also play for the Valiants despite being on loan at other clubs.
Pacy forwards Browne and Archer both have a chance to push their case for inclusion in Port Vale’s next League game against Macclesfield Town on Saturday. Their chances of a start are unlikely after Vale’s strong home win over Morecambe as John Askey is likely to stick with Tom Pope, David Amoo and David Worrall upfront for that game. However, the reserve game gives Browne and Archer a chance to recapture match fitness and should neither suffer any setback they will be likely substitutes for the trip to Moss Rose.
The reserve game has come too soon for Port Vale’s other injured players – with midfielders Manny Oyeleke, Tom Conlon, Callum Evans and striker Mark Cullen all still ruled out of action and undergoing treatment.
The game is in the Central League Cup – with the Valiants hoping to progress out of the group stages. Opponents Scunthorpe United could include first-teamers Andy Dales and Andy Butler in their starting eleven. The Iron lost their first fixture in the cup, losing 2-0 to current group leaders West Bromwich Albion.
About the Central League Cup
The Valiants reserve side are in a group containing West Bromwich Albion, Scunthorpe United, Mansfield Town and Peterborough United who make up a five-team Group Three. The winner of each Group – One to Three, plus the runner-up with best record from these groups will progress through to North / Central quarter-final.