Port Vale – a name that conjures up a picture of a lush green valley, dropping down to a pretty little harbour with fishing boats bobbing about in the water – especially when you have to go through Etruria to get there. Still, as we all know, it’s really in a place called Burslem, which is the North Midlands answer to some of the more depressingly dark and dismal Lancashire mill towns. Oh dear, at least it’s a local derby for Boxing Day.

Walsall will be going into the game waiting for news of two players following the excellent win against relegation threatened Millwall on Saturday. Star in the making Mark Bradley limped off in that game, having taken a stud in his shin, but he is expected to be fit. It seems he was taken off as a precaution. The other is Michael Ricketts, substituted on Saturday at half time feeling the effects of a virus. His importance to the side is shown that, despite the fact we dominated the second half, we just weren’t holding the ball up as well in the second 45 minutes. Hopefully, he’ll be fit, which would mean an unchanged side. Paul Boertien may make the bench, however, as he recovers from his injury and, of course, the outstanding Danny Fox, now revealed as a target for Leeds, will be back from suspension.

Probable line up, therefore:

Ince, Weston, Gerrard, Dann, Fox, Deeney, Wrack, Bradley, Sweeney, Mooney, Ricketts.

Rhys Weston, a player that John Toshack must surely be taking a serious look at to regain his place in the Welsh squad, will be returning to the club he spent a short period with at the end of last season. Hopefully, his excellent for will continue and he can show then what they’ve been missing.

Another who will be returning to his old club is, of course, Vale Manager, Pelsall born Lee Sinnott. One of the Walsall youngsters to have been let go too early because we needed the money, he went on to have a good career at Watford, Bradford and Palace especially.

The re isn’t any news from the Vale camp as yet, as to whether they suffered any injuries in their 2 - 0 defeat at Forest on Saturday. Their main danger man will be an old “friend”, however, in the shape of former Shrewsbury and Crewe striker (and firework tosser) Luke Rodgers. I’m sure that, once it is safe to do so, there won’t be any taunting of him for his two penalty misses at Chasetown in the Cup.

Predictions?

There are a couple of sequences here that could be under threat. One is the superb unbeaten run we are on at the moment, and the other is the win – draw – win – draw pattern that is part of that. Vale are currently 23rd out of 24, with just 16 points from their 21 games, managing only 16 goals in the process. They have won just two in 10 at home. There really should not be any better chance to get two wins back to back than this and consolidate that place in the play off berths. Away win.