Port Vale vs Exeter City. Sky Bet League Two.
Vale ParkAttendance4,615.
Thursday 27 September 2018 18:42, UK
Port Vale manager Neil Aspin could name an unchanged team for a third successive game against League Two promotion chasers Exeter.
Vale are buoyant on the back of victories over Northampton and Crewe, and it would be no surprise if Aspin said same-again. He is likely to have at least one increased selection option, though, with David Worrall expected to be available after missing the Crewe game because of illness.
But Cristian Montano (knee) and James Gibbons (groin) are unlikely to be available as they continue their recovery from injuries.
Exeter will be without long-term injury victims Troy Brown and Jimmy Oates for the trip to Staffordshire. Oates recently suffered a hamstring injury, while Brown has undergone knee surgery and is not expected to be fit again until after Christmas at the earliest, but there is also a possibility that he might not play again this season.
Craig Woodman will also be absent this weekend, while Lee Holmes' recovery from injury is not expected to be completed in time for the Port Vale clash. Victory for Exeter would keep them hot on the heels of league leaders Lincoln, who hold a three-point advantage heading into this weekend's games.
Port Vale have lost five of their last seven matches against Exeter in all competitions (W2).
Exeter have won their last three league visits to Vale Park against Port Vale, winning 1-0 there last season.
Port Vale could win three consecutive league games for the first time since October 2017, and could do so without conceding a single goal in any of those wins for the first time since February 2015 in League One.
Exeter have won three consecutive games in League Two, while they last won four in a row in September 2017 (six straight wins).
Port Vale's Tom Pope has scored three goals in his three league appearances against Exeter for the Valiants.
