GIBBONS LOOKING TO MAKE THE MOST OF HIS BIG CHANCE

JAMES Gibbons is determined to take his chance back in the Port Vale side after recovering from injury.

The 22-year-old was called up for Saturday’s game at Morecambe because Zak Mills was ruled out with a hamstring injury and Nathan Smith is having to isolate because a family member has tested positive for Covid-19. Gibbons suffered a knee injury in pre-season, but impressed at Morecambe even though the Vale were disappointing in a 1-0 defeat. Manager John Askey will make changes for tonight’s EFL Trophy game at Wigan, with the league game at home to Carlisle on Saturday in mind. But Gibbons could still play this evening because, with Mills and Smith ruled out, he is likely to be needed to fill the right-back spot.

He’s hoping for a run of games having watched Mills play at rightback for the opening three league matches.

He said: “Zak came in and did so well, and we had three clean sheets, so it was always going to be difficult to get back into the side. I was fortunate with how I got back in, but now it is about taking my chance and staying in the team for as long as possible.”

Mills is expected to be out for another three weeks, while Smith is due to return after this weekend’s league game. Smith moved from centre-half to right back against Harrogate when Mills went off injured but, following news about the family member’s positive test, the club have explained he has to isolate for 14 days.

The Morecambe defeat was Vale’s first in the league and saw them drop three places to fifth.

They dominated possession but neither side created much before the game was settled by Adam Phillips’ 76th-minute penalty. Gibbons said after the game: “We knew we would have a lot of the ball and it was about being patient and waiting for chances. The goal we gave away was sloppy, but we all know we need to be better. “These are the games we think we could be taking points from if we want to be up there at the end of the season.”