Dickson closing in on return

Left-back Dickson underwent hernia surgery a fortnight ago but is back in training and expected to be available.

Gwion Edwards also had a hernia operation at the same time but his recovery has been slightly slower, with boss John Gregory rating the winger 50-50 to feature.

Josh Simpson remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, fellow midfielder Keith Keane is back at Preston after his loan spell ended last weekend and striker Izale McLeod is still suspended.

Michael O'Connor comes back into the reckoning for Vale after serving a one-match suspension against Coventry last weekend. However, fellow midfielder Chris Lines is still suspended as he completes his three-game ban.

Ryan McGivern is a doubt for the trip after he was forced off in the second half of the defeat to the Sky Blues with an arm injury. McGivern is not guaranteed the left-back spot anyway because Carl Dickinson is available to move back there after filling in for O'Connor in central midfield.

Saturday's game is the last before Dany N'Guessan's short-term contract runs out but Vale have opened talks with the 27-year-old striker and are hopeful of signing him on a new deal until the end of the season.

French striker Achille Campion will hope to come into manager Rob Page's thinking after scoring twice for the reserves this week in their 3-0 victory over city rivals Stoke.