ASKEY: BROWN’S GOOD HABITS KEY TO HIS LONGEVITY

SCOTT Brown is playing as well as ever as he prepares to make the 500th start of his career. That’s the verdict of Port Vale manager John Askey, who has been impressed with the keeper’s efforts in the club’s start to the season. Vale travel to Morecambe tomorrow looking to build on seven points from their opening three League Two games.

The Vale haven’t conceded a goal and, while that has been a team effort, Askey says the keeper has played his part.

He said: “It is a massive achievement for anybody who makes 500 appearances.

“It shows consistency and that they’re a very good professional. That is the case with Scott. Every day he comes in and trains properly, that is why he’s had the career he’s had.

“He’s started off the season well again with three clean sheets in the first three games.

“When he has called on he has done excellently. The couple of saves he made at Exeter were as good as you could make.” Right-back Zak Mills has been ruled out of the game with a hamstring tear that could keep him out for around a month.

But James Gibbons is back in contention after returning to fitness from a knee injury and taking part in a training game on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old suffered the injury in a training ground challenge in pre-season, but is back in contention along with winger David Amoo who suffered a thigh injury on the eve of the new season. Striker Tom Pope is also available for selection for the first time this season after serving a six-game ban.

But Askey has plenty of options up front.

He started with a front three of Dave Worrall, Mark Cullen and Devante Rodney at home to Harrogate on Saturday, with Theo Robinson and Harry Mckirdy used off the substitutes’ bench.

The Valiants visit a Morecambe side who have also made an impressive start.

Derek Adams’ team have won two of their opening three league encounters.