Port Vale In The Worthington Cup

Something to worry about?

Both teams are on fairly good league form. Vale set off to a bad start, like Crewe, but have now won 3 games in a row including the 1-0 win at new league favourites Wigan. They have also been in the news latley as their star player, Stephen McPhee, was discussing terms with Wigan after Bill Bell(Their chairman) accepted a bid of £300k, it seems though that the deal has broke down and Horton fully expects McPhee to start tonight. Port Vale were tipped by many before the start of the season to do well as they have young good players coming up at Vale Park, those including Mark Goodlad - a highly rated keeper. Stephen Mcphee as mentioned and former Alex target Marc Bridge Wilkinson who was reportedly on his way to Gresty Road before relegation. All three of them are likley to start. Someone who the Alex fans will be familiar with, Phil Charnock, is unlikley to be in their team for some reason we don't know about - maybe it's a shocking injury.

As for Crewe Dario will wait for results of todays fitness tests for Hulse, Brammer, Wright and Foster before he confirms his starting 11. Foster is suffering a little knock on his knee while Hulse, Brammer and Wright are suffering from small groin strains. It'll be a dissapointment for Brammer if he can't play tonight as he'll be playing against his old club and will want them to regret letting him go.

Alex probable; Ince, Wright, Foster, Walker, Sodje, Lunt, Brammer, Sorvel, Jack, Ashton, Little