Port Vale: Adams moves closer to starting line-up

by Steve Shaw

PORT Vale manager Micky Adams admits he is inching closer to knowing his strongest line-up as the League Two season fast approaches.

With Championship side West Bromwich Albion set to visit Burslem tonight (7.30pm) the Valiants have so far won four out of their six pre-season friendlies.

After tonight they play Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday and Nantwich Town next Tuesday, ahead of their first league match at home to Rochdale on August 8.

Adams says tonight's match could be crucial to some players' prospects of starting the League Two campaign..

Adams said: "I think I've got the first 11 in my head, but that's where it will stay.

"After tonight everybody will have had enough opportunity to show me what they can do.

"So nobody can say they haven't been given a chance."

The Valiants will continue their experiment of playing on a narrower Vale Park pitch tonight. They reduced the width of the pitch by two yards – from 78 yards to 76 – before last week's 2-1 victory over Wolves.

Former Crewe keeper Stuart Tomlinson, who has been on trial with the Valiants, could play some part in the friendly after recovering from illness.

Midfielder Kevin Thornton is likely to start on the bench and fellow trialist, left-back Kris Taylor, will also feature.

Summer signing Tommy Fraser is ruled out as he continues to struggle with a niggling ankle injury and striker Marc Richards (hip) is also sidelined.

West Brom are set to include a number of promising youngsters and fringe players in their squad.

The shadow line-up is likely to be similar to the team new manager Roberto Di Matteo played in their 2-2 draw against Kidderminster last Friday night.

Di Matteo, pictured left, was expected to field a stronger first-team at Swindon Town last night.

Baggies youngsters David Worrall, Joss Labadie and Romaine Sawyers will be keen to display their glowing potential in midfield, while 17-year-old Paul Downing is likely to play at centre-half.

Downing was promoted to the bench for Albion's Premier League finale at Blackburn last season.

Even if the Baggies field a severely weakened team Adams is still expecting a tough test.

Adams added: "It will be a test whatever side they put out.

"They will have the ability to keep the ball and it's important what we do when we haven't got it."