Port Vale: Horsfield rallies troops ahead of Cup showdown

by Steve Shaw

VALE are full of confidence ahead of tonight's FA Cup first-round replay at Stevenage, despite failing to reinforce their defensive ranks after Saturday's injury-time defeat to Rotherham.

That's the view of Vale assistant manager Geoff Horsfield, who said they were more than capable of going to Stevenage and getting a positive result, even with their depleted side.

Vale were already without injured centre-half Gareth Owen before the Millers rolled into town.

Luke Prosser, his youthful replacement, Luke Prosser, promptly scored Vale's goal in the 2-1 defeat, before getting himself sent off.

Vale had planned to bring in loan reinforcements ahead of tonight's match (7.45pm), only to learn that a player is only eligible for a replay if he is registered the day before the original tie.

Horsfield said: "We're not going to feel sorry for ourselves.

"As a football club, you work around situations like this.

"The gaffer will mix and match it up and pick a team from who we've got available.

"We can't bring anybody in, but we're going to go into this game full of confidence.

"Stevenage are a fantastic side and they could be seen as favourites because they are at home and got a draw at Port Vale, but we'll give it our all and hopefully get a result to see us into the next round."

Vale manager Micky Adams is left with just two senior centre-backs – Lee Collins and John McCombe – for tonight's clash against the Blue Square Premier high-flyers.

That may force him to scrap his five-man defence featuring wing-backs for a flat back-four for the first time this season.

Vale will also be without skipper Tommy Fraser, who is also banned after picking up a fifth booking of the season against Rotherham.

Fraser is sure to receive a hostile reception at the Lamex Stadium, after attacking Borough's "cocky" attitude during their first clash.

It was an accusation that left Stevenage boss Graham Westley bemused.

"I've not got a clue why he's said that," said Westley. "I don't really care about it. What affects us is our own ambitions and our own desire."

"One thing about us is we talk regularly in-house about being ordinary people and the way to get success is to knuckle down and work hard.

"The thing about my team is I've never had a group working so hard.

VALE have terminated Jamie Guy's three-month loan spell, which was due to expire on January 6, with immediate affect.

The 22-year-old striker will now head back to his parent club Colchester United having failed to score in five Vale appearances.