Port Vale vs Milton Keynes Dons - Injuries piling up for Port Vale

Posted Friday, March 24, 2017 by PA

Port Vale manager Michael Brown faces a mounting injury list as he tries to inspire his side to lift themselves out of the Sky Bet League One relegation zone with a third successive home win against MK Dons.

But if they are to build on home wins over Swindon and Shrewsbury they must bounce back from a 2-1 defeat at bottom side Coventry on Tuesday and have to contend with injuries to JJ Hooper and Ben Purkiss.

Purkiss defied a muscle injury to play all but 11 minutes against Coventry while striker Hooper withdrew from the game moments before kick-off because of a leg muscle injury.

Anthony De Freitas, Anton Forrester and Callum Guy all have hamstring problems and are joined on the injury list by Danny Pugh (ankle), Jerome Thomas (muscle strain) and Kjell Knops (groin). On-loan winger Olamide Shodipo is away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland Under-21s.

Dons boss Robbie Neilson will be forced into at least one defensive change with Joe Walsh away on international duty.

There is also a question mark over the fitness of full-back George Baldock after he limped off late on in the home win against Coventry last weekend.

Paul Downing should replace Walsh at centre-half meaning captain Dean Lewington will revert to his usual left-back slot.

Midfielder Darren Potter and forward Dean Bowditch will be hoping for recalls but striker Chuks Aneke is likely to miss the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury.