THE CHALKBOARD

ROB Page is keen to see his Port Vale side get the ball down and play, especially when they are in front of their home fans.

Away from home, Page likes his side to manage the game more and go more direct, but Town can expect a more expansive looking side to the one that visited the County Ground earlier this season.

The Vale boss has flirted between system and has deployed a holding midfielder in front of the back four in the past in an effort to give the four other midfielders licence to get forward more but he is likely to go with a two-man attack at Vale Park.

Ajay Leitch-Smith will lead the line and is likely to be partnered by JJ Hooper, who has kept new signing Theo Robinson on the bench since his arrival from Motherwell in the transfer window.

Swindon Advertiser:
Rob Page

LIKELY LINE-UP

Swindon Advertiser:

A MAN IN FORM

STRIKER Ajay Leitch-Smith may have fired a blank in Saturday’s 3-0 drubbing away at Wigan but he has been pretty hot so far this year, with four goals in Port Vale’s five games in 2016.

The 25-year-old, who signed in the summer on a free from Yeovil, was out of the side at the start of the season behind Watford loanee Uche Ikpeazu.

However, Ikpeazu was sent off at Burton Albion at the end of October, handing Leitch-Smith his chance and he hasn’t looked back since.

He got both Vale’s goals in the 2-1 win at Doncaster a week ago to take his tally to 10 for the season, while Ikpeazu has since returned to Watford, only to go back out on loan to Blackpool.

Crewe youth product Leitch-Smith is an intelligent player and with his education in the Alex’s philosophy, is sure to be a handful for Town’s back-line.

Swindon Advertiser:
Ajay Leitch-Smith (right) celebrates a goal

TREATMENT ROOM

PORT Vale were dealt a blow ahead of their weekend game against Wigan when Michael O’Connor was forced out in the warm-up.

The midfielder pulled his thigh at the DW Stadium and had to watch the match from the sidelines and now seems almost certain to miss tonight’s game against Swindon as well.

Sam Foley was drafted in as a last-minute replacement in the heart of midfield and Vale boss Rob Page is going to be forced into another change this evening.

Centre back Ryan McGivern was shown a straight red card against the Latics and will be suspended against Town. Ryan Inniss will likely slot into his place.

Former Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Chris Birchall has not played in 2016 after picking up a knee injury, while winger Ebo Andoh is out for the season with a knee injury of his own.

Swindon Advertiser:
Ryan McGivern makes a challenge

OPPOSITION FORM GUIDE

Sat, Jan 9 – SkyBet League 1 – 1-0 Win v Blackpool (A)

Sun, Jan 17 – SkyBet League 1 – 3-1 Loss v Millwall (A)

Sun, Jan 23 – SkyBet League 1 – 1-1 Draw v Bradford (H)

Tues, Jan 26 – SkyBet League 1 – 2-1 Win v Doncaster (A)

Sat, Jan 30 – SkyBet League 1 – 3-0 Loss v Wigan (A)

GOALSCORERS

Ajay Leitch-Smith 10; Louis Dodds 4; Sam Foley 4

DISCIPLINE

Ryan McGivern 3Y, 1R; Carl Dickinson 2Y, 1R; Anthony Grant 9Y

THE STAT

Swindon Town have only failed to score once in their last nine matches at Vale Park.