Port Vale midfielder Oyeleke sidelined until January

Port Vale manager John Askey will be without midfielder Emmanuel Oyeleke until January at the earliest.

Oyeleke is sidelined after undergoing surgery on his hamstring in London on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old suffered the injury in August and aggravated it in the game at Leyton Orient last month. It had been hoped Oyeleke would be back in six weeks, but the operation means a longer recovery period.

Forward Jordan Archer is pushing for a place in the starting XI after coming on as a substitute in last week’s defeat at Macclesfield.

Caretaker Stevenage manager Mark Sampson could name the same squad that secured a first league win of the season last weekend for the trip to Vale Park.

Defender Luther Wildin picked up a slight knock in the victory over Grimsby but is hopeful of being fit to play.

Midfielder Paul Digby, who has yet to feature this season, has returned to light training but is not yet ready to be considered.

Terence Vancooten, who has not played since suffering an injury just seven minutes into the game against Leyton Orient on August 17, remains sidelined.