Defender Gareth Owen looks likely to spend at least a month out of action after suffering a fractured ankle during Saturdays 1-1 draw at Wycombe. Owen will find out tomorrow (Tuesday) exactly what's what when he meets a specialist.

Fortunately we do have the cover to deal with the situation. Alongside John McCombe we have the options of Ritchie Sutton, Lee Collins - my personal choice - or Exodus Geohaghan, our holding midfielder who has spent most of his career as a central defender.

Elsewhere, injury wise, our much missed striker Marc Richards is still a couple of weeks away from a possible return after tearing a thigh muscle early in January.

Photo: Action Images

Port Vale Polls