MICKY Adams says Vale's style council won't be affected by tomorrow's tough trip to high-flying Shrewsbury Town (1pm).

The fourth-placed Shrews have strung together a 21-match unbeaten run at the Greenhous Meadow since losing 3-0 to Bury last March.

That sequence has helped the team, managed by veteran Graham Turner, pictured below, move up to fifth in the League Two table.

But Adams has vowed to meet their rivals head on, which will be music to the ears of a large Valiants travelling contingent.

"Earning a point doesn't really help you in any way, so our focus is always to try to win a game," said Adams, whose side are two points off the play-offs in 11th.

"I'd never say we would 'park the bus' in any fixture.

"We will play our usual 4-4-2 formation and have a go, just like Shrewsbury will.

"We're always mindful of our responsibility to our fans, either at Vale Park or away from home.

"We have to be able to cope mentally with that responsibility by turning up being positive.

"We never apologise for losing games because that comes with the territory.

"But we approach every game wanting to perform and then being able to look ourselves in the mirror afterwards knowing we've given our all."

Vale, who will be backed by almost 900 fans, head to Shropshire rejuvenated following back-to-back 1-0 wins over Rotherham United and Plymouth Argyle.

However, they have yet to taste victory against any side in the top seven so far this season.

Adams believes breaking that run would mark out his side as genuine promotion contenders – and silence their critics.

"You can't argue with some stats, but you know eventually that the odds will fall in your favour," said the Vale boss.

"We'll let people knock us and do what they have to do. Then we have to try to prove them wrong.

"That's the motivation that we've got in every game between now and the end of the season."

Vale are hoping strike duo Marc Richards (ankle) and Tom Pope (groin) are fit after they returned to training yesterday.

But defenders Gareth Owen (broken hand) and Lee Collins (ankle) remain sidelined.

Adams also admitted that injured midfielders Ryan Burge (knee) and Lewis Haldane (leg) are unlikely to have sufficient time to force their way into the starting line-up this season if they recover from their respective injuries.

Shrewsbury, who won the reverse fixture 3-2 in September, have defensive concerns of their own.

Centre-backs Shane Cansdell-Sherriff (shoulder) and Reuben Hazell (knee) are out, while striker Marvin Morgan is suspended as they search for a fourth successive win.

SHREWSBURY are optimistic the match will go ahead, despite freezing temperatures expected in the run-up to the fixture.

Frost covers have been used at the Greenhous Meadow, and, if necessary, referee Geoff Eltringham will hold a 9am pitch inspection tomorrow.

VALE fans have until 2pm today to purchase their tickets for the game.

Adult tickets cost £17, over-65s, students and disabled tickets are £12. Fans aged 12 to 16 pay £10, while those aged 11 and under pay £4.