Port Vale v Crawley preview
Last Updated: August 5, 2011 12:37pm
Richards: Set to skipper Vale
Team news ahead of Saturday's League Two clash between Port Vale and Crawley at Vale Park.
Port Vale manager Micky Adams has a full squad to choose from.
Summer signings Kingsley James, Phil Roe, Clayton McDonald, Mike Green, Ben Williamson, Ryan Burge and local boy Tom Pope, who spent time on loan at Vale Park last term, will all be hoping to feature for the club.
Striker Marc Richards will captain the side should he be selected. The 29-year-old was installed as skipper in February by former boss Jim Gannon.
Adams said: "I don't see any reason to change it. He will lead the side out on Saturday - if he is in the team."
Adams believes Vale are underdogs going into the first game of the season at Vale Park.
He added: "Crawley are the bookmakers' favourites, and you never see a bookmaker riding a bike do you? It's a tough, tough opening fixture but we are looking forward to it."
Hope Akpan will be missing when Crawley play their first game in the Football League.
The young midfielder, a summer signing from Everton, was sent off towards the end of last Friday's Carling Cup preliminary-round win over AFC Wimbledon and serves a one-match ban.
Scott Neilson, who was on the bench against the Dons, could come into the starting line-up.
Town's only other absentees are skipper Pablo Mills, who is recovering from ankle surgery and will be out for another three weeks, and fellow defender Jamie Day who has a back problem.
Winger Willie Gibson could be added to the squad despite continuing speculation linking him with a return to Scotland with St Johnstone.
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Matches
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npower League 2
Table
npower League 2
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gillingham | 46 | 83 |
| 2 | Rotherham United | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Port Vale | 46 | 78 |
| 4 | Burton Albion | 46 | 76 |
| 5 | Cheltenham Town | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Northampton Town | 46 | 73 |
| 7 | Bradford City | 46 | 69 |
| 8 | Chesterfield | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Oxford United | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Exeter City | 46 | 64 |
| 11 | Southend United | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Rochdale | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Fleetwood Town | 46 | 60 |
| 14 | Bristol Rovers | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Wycombe Wanderers | 46 | 60 |
| 16 | Morecambe | 46 | 58 |
| 17 | York City | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Accrington Stanley | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Torquay United | 46 | 53 |
| 20 | AFC Wimbledon | 46 | 53 |
| 21 | Plymouth Argyle | 46 | 52 |
| 22 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 46 | 51 |
| 23 | Barnet | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Aldershot Town | 46 | 48 |
