by Steve Shaw

MIDFIELDER Rob Taylor admits the constant threat of being axed from Dean Glover's first team heaps extra pressure on his shoulders every time he steps out in a Vale shirt.

The 24-year-year-old has had to wait patiently for his chance since Glover took charge in October.

However, the manager selected Taylor for the first time in last weekend's 3-1 home success over Darlington.

The midfielder's performance earned him the sponsor's man-of-the match accolade, while he clung on to his starting place on Tuesday night when Vale lost 2-0 at Accrington.

With Taylor hoping to feature at Bradford City today, he said: "There is a feeling in the back of my mind if I don't perform over two or three games I could be out. That's always there, but all I can do is take each game as it comes.

"I don't know whether I'll be in the team today because the manager could go with a more defensive line-up.

"I'm sure every player feels that pressure. There are more senior players who are going to have a run in the team. But if any player has a bad game, or is not performing to the manager's standards, then they should come out ... I'm no different."

Taylor has only managed five starts for the club since joining from non-league Nuneaton Borough in the summer.

However, the university graduate staked his claim for a first-team spot with a number of impressive substitute appearances in recent months.

His attacking style prompted sections of Vale's support to call for Taylor's introduction into the side which served to boost his flagging spirits.

Taylor said: "It's hard when you're not in the team. But then you get fans who come up to you and say, 'we think you should be in the team', and, 'we all rate you'. That support is unbelievable and when you are down you need it."

Meanwhile, Glover says he will not make a decision on whether to extend Kevin Gall's loan spell from Carlisle until after today's match.

The striker's one-month loan deal runs out on Tuesday and he has so far failed to find the net in six appearances.