Port Vale vs Chesterfield - Port Vale boss Rob Page pondering Ajay Leitch-Smith option

Posted Sunday, November 22, 2015 by PA

Port Vale manager Robert Page must decide whether to stick with in-form forward Ajay Leitch-Smith, who took his tally to three goals in two games with a brace in the 3-1 replay win over Maidenhead in the FA Cup first round on Thursday, for the home fixture with Chesterfield.

Leitch-Smith scored his first goal for Vale in the 2-1 win at Barnsley and will be hoping to retain his place but Page has Uche Ikpeazu waiting in the wings if fresh legs are needed for the second game in 48 hours.

Adam Yates could continue at right-back in place of Ben Purkiss who has a back problem. Midfielder Chris Birchall will be looking to feature after his recent return from a thigh injury but winger Enoch Andoh (knee) is out for the rest of the season.

Page's side have gone unbeaten in four games with Sky Bet League One wins over Shrewsbury and Barnsley as well as the two ties against Maidenhead with the replay win setting up a meeting with League Two Exeter in round two.

Chesterfield boss Dean Saunders must decide whether or not to change the team that started last weekend's home defeat to Oldham.

The Welshman has plenty of options available should he wish to tweak things, with the likes of Charlie Raglan, Gboly Ariyibi, Sam Hird and Rai Simons all pushing for recalls.

Centre-half Raglan might be particularly keen to play against the club where he began his career while left-back Dan Jones and midfielder Sam Morsy, also both former Valiants, are certainties to start.

Midfielder Angel Martinez remains the only injury absentee as he continues to recover from a long-term knee problem.