MICKY Adams says he won't press Lee Collins back into action as the popular defender prepares to step up his recovery from an ankle ligament injury.

The 23-year-old left-back has missed Vale's last three games after hobbling off in the 3-0 loss at Southend on January 7.

Collins is now back running, but won't be considered for Saturday's home derby with Crewe and next Tuesday's trip to Bradford City.

"It's a slow process with Lee because the ligaments that he's tweaked will take some weeks to heal so we have to give him that time," said Adams.

"I'm sure he will hope that the game is called off on Saturday so it gives him an even better chance of being fit and available for our run-in.

"His rehab is going well, although I can't tell you when he's going to be back.

"He's working in the gym and the plan for him this week is to start jogging – that's the first step for him on a long recovery road.

"Once you get to a stage of a player being out for two or three weeks then they need a reserve game before making their comeback in the first team.

"If they're out for one or two weeks, you can probably get away with throwing them back into the team.

"So the important thing is that Lee gets himself physically right and if we can get a reserve game for him to play in then we will."

Meanwhile, Vale have been boosted by the news that fellow defender Gareth Owen doesn't require an operation to place a pin in his broken left hand.

The 29-year-old centre-back, inset, visited a specialist yesterday to have the injury re-scanned before being given the all-clear to resume training later this week.

He sustained the injury three weeks ago, but won't feature against Crewe at the weekend.

"Gareth has seen the specialist again yesterday and his hand doesn't need an operation at this stage," added Adams.

"He's going to join in with the rest of the group this week to see what he can do.

"The obvious problem he'll have is if he falls on his hand or if the ball hits it.

"Any sort of break is going to take time heal, but he should be fit and available again soon.

"The good thing about Gareth's injury is he can still do all of the running."