Port Vale v Wrexham preview – no Hollywood blockbuster expected as Vale set to ring the changes

Three things to watch out for

1. Smith’s chance to come in from the cold?

This is a chance for Vale’s fringe players to catch the eye. Perhaps the one to watch is defender Nathan Smith. A regular since 2016, Smith has made just the one appearance this campaign. However, Jesse Debrah’s place may be a little under threat after he failed to mark his man for Gillingham’s goal on Saturday. Can the experienced Smith push his chances of a recall to the League squad?

2. Diamond given a chance to shine?

Another player who hasn’t featured much this season is Diamond Edwards. He made an eyecatching and goalscoring debut in this competition but Vale have been cautious to play him as he builds up match fitness. He was on the bench for the FA Cup first round without playing – will he make an appearance in this game?

3. Harper’s chance to fill Garrity’s boots?

The news that skipper Ben Garrity is out for a number of weeks is bad news for the Valiants. It’s especially unfortunate as George Byers is also on the sidelines. Byers could be back in action soon but a more immediate replacement for Garrity could be recent signing Rakeem Harper. This match seems a perfect opportunity to give the new boy some match minutes and perhaps push his claim for a League start.

The Vale view

Form

Well, the wheels haven’t exactly fallen off but two defeats in two games (albeit one against higher division opposition in the cup) means Vale’s stunning run of form has stuttered in recent days. The result of this game is hardly likely to influence things especially as it’s likely to involve Vale’s fringe players rather than first-team regulars.

Fitness

Manager Darren Moore confirmed that captain Ben Garrity will be out for some weeks with injury. It leave Vale a little short in central midfield especially with George Byers also on the sidelines and the fitness of new signing Rakeem Harper still unknown. On the plus side, Sam Hart, Mitch Clark and Kyle John are edging close to fitness. Of the three, Hart is the most likely to get minutes in this game.

Team selection

All change? Moore is likely to make some wholesale changes for this game. We expect Ruari Paton and Lorent Tolaj to be selected upfront possibly alongside Diamond Edwards. New signing Rakeem Harper may get a game in central midfield while Nathan Smith and Ben Lomax may both get games at the back. Finally, keeper Ben Amos may replace Connor Ripley for this game.

Possible line-up

Formation: 3-4-3

Starting eleven: Amos – Lomax, Smith, Debrah – Sang, Lowe, Harper, Shorrock – Tolaj, Paton, Diamond

Trivia: should he play, Nathan Smith would equal Russell Bromage’s 402 games for the club taking him to joint eighth place in the all-time appearance charts.

Viewing guide

The Football League Trophy games are shown on Sky+ so viewers in the UK who cannot attend will be able to watch the game. Vale fans based abroad can watch the game through the PVTV service.

Guide to the opposition

Club factfile

• Team: Wrexham
• League: League One
• Manager: Phil Parkinson

Trivia: Wrexham have beaten both Salford and Wolves U21 in this season’s group stages.

Man in charge

56 year-old Phil Parkinson has been in charge of Wrexham since 2021 and guided them to the National League title as well as promotion to League One last season. Parkinson has also had spells with Colchester Utd, Charlton Athletic, Bradford City and Bolton (to name just four of his former clubs) and is now just 13 games away from 1,000 as a manager.

Form

Mixed. Three straight wins were followed by a run of no wins in three games. It was broken at the weekend by a 1-0 win over Mansfield Town in one of the early kick-off games. Wrexham’s last away win was over Rotherham United back in October 14th.

Squad and signings

After being backed by deep pocketed owners, Wrexham continue to catch the eye with some high profile additions. The latest was former Man Utd and Leicester City midfielder Matty James who joined this month after a spell as a free agent. Another free agent, former Bolton man Jon Dadi Bodvarsson also joined this month.

One to watch

Wrexham have tended to name a strong line-up in Trophy games and as a result Vale could face striker Paul Mullin. Worryingly the frontman is due a goal after a lean spell upfront.

History

Vintage connections

As there are no current players who have played for both sides, here are some of the players to have played for both in recent years.

• Striker Hector Sam joined Vale from Wrexham but his spell was wrecked by injury
• Defender Theo Vassell had spells with both clubs
• Goalkeeper Rob Lainton also had spells with both sides
• Striker Scott Quigley had loan spells with both clubs

Featured connection

Winger Steve Fox was mourned by both sides when he sadly passed away in 2012 aged just 54 years of age. Fox had a four year spell with Wrexham where he was named player of the year in 1981. He joined Vale in 1982 and was a star performer as the club won promotion at the end of the 1982-83 season. A pacy right winger, Fox also had spells with Chester City and Birmingham City.

Overall record

• Port Vale wins: 27
• Port Vale losses: 22
• Draws: 17

Trivia: this is the second successive season the clubs have met in the Football League Trophy

Last time we met

Loan striker Josh Thomas scored one of his three goals for the club but the Valiants lost 2-1 at the Racecourse Ground in the Football League Trophy group stages. The game also saw a full debut for young defender Ben Lomax and forward Andrew Buah.

Fixture history

The clubs first faced each other in 1929 when it finished as a 2-0 win for the Valiants. However, recent games have been few and far between. In 2007, the clubs met in the League Cup. It finished 1-1 after 90 minutes with Luke Rodgers on target for Vale before Wrexham won the penalty shootout. Last season, the two sides met in the Football League Trophy stages.

Memorable match

Port Vale were bang on form when they faced Wrexham in October 1985. They’d already scored four goal in two of their last three home games and were at it again with a 4-0 win over Wrexham that would take them to the top of the Division Four table. Scorers that day were Paul Maguire (2), Jeff Johnson and an own-goal.

Archive

This website has been around for nearly 30 years. Here are some clippings featuring games against Wrexham…

Brief history

Wrexham AFC were founded in 1864 making them the oldest club in Wales. Wrexham’s honours include winning the Welsh Cup a record 23 times, the Football League Trophy in 2005 at the Millennium Stadium and the FA Trophy in 2013 at Wembley Stadium.

Club records

• Most goals: Tommy Bamford 175
• Most appearances: Arfon Griffiths 592
• Most International appearances: Dennis Lawrence 49 (Trinidad & Tobago)
• Highest attendance: 34,445 vs Man Utd, FA Cup 4th round, 1957

And finally

Discuss the game

Want to discuss things before, during and after the game? Our forum’s dedicated match thread is the place to be. Share your views with fellow fans…

Port Vale v Wrexham match thread

Predict the score

Quiz

Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz

• Who is the current Wrexham manager?
• What was the score when the two sides last met?
• In what year was the club formed?

The tough one: how many goals did Tommy Bamford score for the club

(answers below – no cheating)

Quiz answers

• Phil Parkinson
• Wrexham 2-1 Port Vale
• 1864
• 175