Port Vale cup boost? Opponents hit with injury crisis
Port Vale have been handed a potential cup boost on the eve of the new season with the news that Carabou Cup first round opponents Scunthorpe United have been hit by injuries.
The Valiants season begins on Saturday the 5th September when they travel to Scunthorpe in the first round of the Carabou Cup. Vale have an awful League Cup record but their chances of progressing this season will be boosted after a number of key injuries to the Scunthorpe squad.
Experienced striker Kevin van Veen, last season’s top scorer with fifteen goals, faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he needs knee surgery. Defender Emmanuel Onariase requires surgery on a hernia problem and will also miss the start of the season. Meanwhile, club captain Jordan Clarke and defender Harrison McGahey are yet to feature in any friendlies so far as they recover from injuries.
The Iron have adopted a policy of recruiting young players during the summer and the quartet’s continued absence could mean the Scunthorpe squad currently features no fit players over the age of 25.
Speaking after their latest friendly on Tuesday, Scunthorpe manager Neil Cox commented on the injury crisis to their official website: “We’re going to need everybody and they all need to be fit… I’m looking at everybody. Everyone stands a fair chance.
“With people having so long off, as soon as you start training people can struggle and that’s why we’ve had to push people. We are going to get injuries, as everyone will.”
The injury news will offer Vale a boost in their hopes of reaching the next round. The game will be played behind closed doors but Vale fans can buy an iFollow pass for £10 to watch a live stream of the action. Let’s hope the Vale supporters will be celebrating after the final whistle.
Match details
Carabou Cup first round
Scunthorpe United v Port Vale
Saturday 5th September, 3pm