Coca-Cola League Two

Port Vale v Brentford (3pm)

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   STAYING ON: Loan star Damien McCrory will remain at Vale Park until January.

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by Steve Shaw

DEAN Glover must have breathed a huge sigh of relief earlier this week when he managed to hold on to his own Irish lucky charm.

The Vale boss made 18-year-old Damien McCrory his first signing last month in taking the defender on a month's loan from Championship side Plymouth.

McCrory has impressed after featuring in every game of Glover's short reign, making six starts and one substitute appearance, predominantly at left-back.

The Valiants have won five of those seven outings, so it was no surprise when Glover moved quickly to tie McCrory to Vale Park until January when his initial loan spell expired following Saturday's 4-3 FA Cup triumph at Huddersfield.

McCrory, from Limerick in the Republic of Ireland, said: "I was more than happy to stay on because it means I'm playing first-team football, and there's nothing better than that.

"It can only benefit my career. I have to start somewhere and I'm happy to start here and to stay until January.

"Hopefully, things can get even better from here.

"The last few weeks we've been getting good results and confidence is high at the moment. Hopefully, we can keep the run going."

Glover is confident his young loanee can shrug off a slight ankle injury to face League Two rivals Brentford in Burslem tomorrow.

It will be McCrory's final game before he heads off on Monday to link up with the Republic of Ireland squad for the European under-19s Championship qualifiers against Malta, Liechtenstein and France.

McCrory, who has graduated from under-15s level, will miss Vale's League Two clashes against Wycombe (November 22) and Barnet (November 25).

But he could be back in Vale colours for their FA Cup second-round tie with Macclesfield on Friday, November 28.

And he says the rigours of playing in League Two can only boost his international credentials.

McCrory added: "Fitness-wise, if I was playing every two or three weeks (with Plymouth's reserves) I would have struggled playing these three under-19s games coming up.

"But now I'm playing first-team football week-in, week-out, the manager in Ireland sees that and hopefully we can progress to the European Championship finals."

Glover's men get the opportunity to gain further ground towards the play-off zone when they take on Andy Scott's Bees, who are four places better off.

Brentford made an encouraging start to the campaign, when they embarked on a 12-match unbeaten run.

But that came to an abrupt end with a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Chester last month followed by a 2-1 home loss against Rochdale.

They got back to winning ways last weekend though, brushing aside non-league Havant and Waterlooville 3-1 in their televised FA Cup tie.

Striker Charlie MacDonald hit one of Brentford's goals to take his personal tally to seven this season and make him joint leading scorer with midfielder Glenn Poole.

Ex-Stoke full-back John Halls picked up a minor knock against Havant, but is expected to be fit, but Scott is without long-term absentee Gary Smith, who is still battling an ankle injury.

Vale striker Kyle Perry and midfielder Shane Tudor are sidelined with knee injuries.

Midfielder Rob Taylor and striker Steve Thompson have both recovered from hamstring complaints and enjoyed run-outs in Vale's FA Senior Cup 2-0 victory at Newcastle Town on Tuesday night. But neither are likely to be included in Glover's squad as they bid to build up their fitness levels.

Striker Luke Rodgers is a contender to start following the collapse of his proposed move to League One side Yeovil Town earlier this week.

The 26-year-old missed last week's win at Huddersfield with a bruised foot, but is fit once more.

Vale hope to record only their third home league success of the season, compared to four victories on the road.

And while four of the clubs who finished in the top-seven last season returned more away wins than home ones, Glover is keen to redress the balance.

He said: "It's about consistency at this level.

"When you're doing well and teams come to your place, they bank up and defend astutely.

"We've got to break them down somehow. Hopefully, we'll get that rub of the green.

"It's strange how away form has been better than home form for some teams. I'd rather it was the other way around because the good results are for your own supporters to enjoy."