Tranmere v Port Vale preview
Thursday 23 August 2018 18:50, UK
Tranmere's new arrival Franklyn Akammadu faces a race against time to make his debut against Port Vale.
The 20-year-old arrived from Serie C side US Alessandria this week but manager Micky Mellon has indicated international clearance may not arrive in time. Midfielder Jay Harris will definitely not be available as he serves the second of a three-game ban.
Among the absentees, Adam Buxton has just returned to training, Liam Ridehalgh remains further away and Zoumana Bakayogo could be back involved next week.
Vale boss Neil Aspin must decide on which formation to utilise at Prenton Park. He switched to a three-man defence at Carlisle in midweek but saw his side slip to a 2-1 defeat and must now stick or twist.
Manny Oyeleke's hamstring injury looks set to keep him sidelined, while Tom Conlon is also out in midfield. Cristian Montano impressed as a substitute and can play at wing-back or as an advanced midfielder.
Opta stats
Tranmere have won two of their previous six meetings with Port Vale in the Football League (D1 L3), losing the most recent two.
There has not been a draw between Tranmere and Port Vale in the last nine meetings at Prenton Park in the Football League (Tranmere W7, Port Vale W2), with the most recent such draw happening in April 1999 (1-1).
Tranmere have kept a clean sheet in both of their home league games this season; in their previous season in League Two (2014-15), they kept just three clean sheets across their 23 home matches.
Port Vale are winless in their last 14 away league games (D6 L8); amongst current EFL clubs, only Macclesfield Town (18 games) are on a longer ongoing run of away games at Football League level without a victory.
Tranmere's Paul Mullin scored twice against the Valiants last season for Swindon in two substitute appearances.
