Loft: Misses out for Vale

Team news ahead of Monday night's League Two clash between Port Vale and Oxford United at Vale Park (kick-off 7.45pm).

Doug Loft will miss out for Port Vale as Micky Adams' side bid to cement their place in a League Two automatic promotion spot.

Vale are a mere three points behind leaders Gillingham heading into the weekend and their skipper has been instrumental in his side's impressive start.

But he pulled up with a calf injury after 51 minutes of his side's 2-0 win at Exeter last week and is expected to miss more than a month of action.

Teenage goalkeeper Sam Johnson is expected to retain his place and make his league bow with Chris Neal still struggling with a groin strain.

Johnson, 19, made an impressive debut in the midweek Johnstone's Paint Trophy penalty shootout win at Walsall where he saved three spot-kicks before scoring the winner himself.

Johnny Mullins is set to return for Oxford.

The defender was unavailable for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy win over Cheltenham on Tuesday but will regain his position in the back four after impressing in the goalless draw against Gillingham last weekend.

Captain Jake Wright is also expected to come back into the defence against Vale while Andrew Whing provides another option after making his comeback from the bench against Cheltenham.

Damian Batt is also back in the frame after picking up an injury against Gillingham.

Lee Cox could return in midfield after making a quicker than expected recovery from a groin injury but Liam Davis (groin), JP Pittman, Michael Raynes (both hamstring) and Michael Duberry (neck) are still missing.