Port Vale vs Shrewsbury Town - Hamstring strain sidelines Scott Tanser for Shrewsbury visit

Port Vale's injury problems continue to mount with defender Scott Tanser sidelined for the visit of Shrewsbury with a hamstring strain.

He was replaced at half-time of the midweek defeat at Northampton by Kiko, who himself had been rested to nurse a similar issue.

Fellow defender Kjell Knops struggled through the match with a groin injury which makes him doubtful for Friday night.

Forward Rigino Cicilia played for the reserves in midweek so could come back into contention but - with defender Remie Streete not fully fit and Jerome Thomas and midfielder Danny Pugh still likely to be sidelined - manager Michael Brown has hinted at "a few surprises" in the starting line-up.

Former Port Vale striker AJ Leitch-Smith is closing in on a Shrewsbury comeback following a knee injury.

The ex-Vale man has not started for the Shrews since injuring knee ligaments against his former side in November's goalless draw.

Shaun Whalley continues to battle a hamstring injury but defender Joe Riley is fit again after his own hamstring complaint.

Defenders Olly Lancashire (calf) and Abu Ogogo (knee) have both been sidelined for a number of weeks.