Striker pushes Port Vale case ahead of Carlisle visit

Posted Thursday, November 14, 2019 by PA

Port Vale welcome managerless Carlisle fresh from seeing their fringe players defeat Newcastle Under-21s in the Leasing.com Cup.

John Askey swapped all 11 players for the match but still claimed a 2-1 win to make it three in a row across different competitions.

Striker Mark Cullen scored both goals to put added pressure on regular starters Tom Pope and Richie Bennett, but goalkeeper Jonny Maddison will stand down for Scott Brown despite a bright debut.

Tom Conlon managed an hour in midweek as he returned from injury and should remain in the squad.

The Cumbrians head to Vale Park with Gavin Skelton heading an interim coaching team following Steven Pressley’s sacking.

Pressley’s last match was a midweek loss at Morecambe, a game which saw right-back Christie Elliott make his return from an ankle injury.

Goalkeeper Adam Collin is set to return after making way for Louis Gray in the Leasing.com Cup defeat, while Harry McKirdy and Olufela Olomola should also be restored to the starting XI.

Stefan Scougall has missed the last three games with a hamstring complaint and will need to be assessed.