Port Vale v Wimbledon preview

Team news for Tuesday's League Two clash between Port Vale and AFC Wimbledon at Vale Park.

Last Updated: 04/02/13 at 16:34   

Louis Dodds: Closing in on a first-team return

Louis Dodds: Closing in on a first-team return

Port Vale manager Micky Adams may make changes to his starting XI.

Adams has named the same side for the last two matches - a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture with the Dons 11 days ago and Saturday's 3-0 home win over Accrington.

"I did contemplate changes for the Accrington game, but felt the team who drew at Wimbledon deserved another chance," said Adams.

"We'll mix and match it. We've got a great squad now and we'll use it. We've got Louis Dodds and Rob Taylor coming back to full fitness, and John McCombe too. So the dilemma will be not who is in the starting XI, but who is going to be on the bench.

"That shows how strong we've become. I can remember a time in the season when we could only name five substitutes, so we have progressed as a team and a squad."

Tuesday night's game is expected to come too soon for Dodds and Taylor, although both players are now back in full training. McCombe is expected to return in a couple of weeks.

So should Adams make any changes he will pick from defender Adam Yates, midfielders Chris Shuker, Sam Morsy and Chris Birchall and strikers Calvin Andrew and Ben Williamson - all of whom were on the bench at the weekend.

Harry Pell will be missing from the AFC Wimbledon squad.

The midfielder impressed on his debut in the 1-1 draw against Burton following his switch from Hereford last week, but picked up a 10th booking of the season which means a two-match ban.

Gary Alexander marked his debut with the Dons' goal on Saturday so he should keep his place, although fellow striker Paul McCallum could start alongside him after shaking off a foot injury to come on as a late sub.

Centre-half Will Antwi has been struggling with a hip injury and remains a doubt while full-back Curtis Osano (calf) and striker Charlie Strutton (knee) are back in training but not ready to return.

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npower League 2

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Gillingham 46 27 83
2 Rotherham 46 15 79
3 Port Vale 46 35 78
4 Burton Alb 46 6 76
5 Cheltenham 46 7 75
6 Northamptn 46 9 73
7 Bradford 46 11 69
8 Chesterfld 46 15 67
9 Oxford Utd 46 -1 65
10 Exeter 46 1 64
11 Southend 46 6 61
12 Rochdale 46 -2 61
13 Fleetwood 46 -2 60
14 Bristol R 46 -9 60
15 Wycombe 46 -10 60
16 Morecambe 46 -6 58
17 York City 46 -10 55
18 Accrington 46 -17 54
19 Torquay 46 -7 53
20 AFC W'don 46 -22 53
21 Plymouth 46 -9 52
22 Dag + Red 46 -7 51
23 Barnet 46 -12 51
24 Aldershot 46 -18 48

Updated Sat, 27 Apr 2013

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