Preview: Port Vale v Bolton

All the key information ahead of Tuesday night's visit to Vale Park

Port Vale v Bolton Wanderers
Vale Park
Tuesday 27 July, 2015
Kick-Off 7:30pm

SETTING THE SCENE
Unbeaten in their last two pre-season outings, Bolton Wanderers travel to Port Vale on Tuesday night in their final away fixture ahead of the start of the 2015/16 Sky Bet Championship campaign next month.

Having beat Oldham Athletic 2-0 for their first victory last week, Neil Lennon’s side followed it up with a 1-1 draw away at Scunthorpe United on Friday night – Josh Vela the Bolton goalscorer.

Hosts Port Vale have enjoyed a successful pre-season so far, starting their preparations with emphatic victories over Newcastle Town, Alsager Town and Kidsgrove.

Recording a fourth victory in a row against Notts County, the Valiants come into Tuesday’s clash off the back of morale-boosting 2-2 draw against La Liga side Getafe.

TEAM NEWS
Darren Pratley is unlikely to be risked against Port Vale after sitting out Friday night’s trip to Glanford Park with a back strain.

Zach Clough, Mark Davies, Emile Heskey and Oscar Threlkeld will all be assessed as the quartet continue to battle with the respective injuries that have disrupted their pre-seasons so far, while Tom Walker is expected to again miss out.

Max Clayton continues to step up his rehabilitation from a knee injured sustained last season, while David Wheater continues to work with the medical staff on the hamstring problem that prevented him from flying out to Austria and has kept him out of action during pre-season so far.

LAST PORT VALE XI (v Getafe, D2-2)
Johnson, Yates, McGivern, Streete, Brown, Duffy, Birchall, Foley, Dodds, Leitch-Smith, Daniel. 

ONE TO WATCH
A recent arrival at Vale Park following an impressive trial during pre-season, Ajay Leitch-Smith will be looking to build on his tally of four goals, including two against La Liga outfit Getafe, when Rob Page’s side host Wanderers on Tuesday.

Signed as a replacement for Tom Pope, the forward started his career with Port Vale’s local-rivals Crewe Alexandra, and was a member of the Alex side that won promotion to League One via the play-offs in 2012, before the lifting the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy the following year.

Spending last season with Yeovil Town, Leitch-Smith left the club following their relegation to League Two.


LIVE UPDATES
Supporters can follow live updates of the game via the club’s official Twitter account, @OfficialBWFC. Match highlights will feature on the club’s official YouTube account after the game.

TICKETS
Will be available on the day of the game in the run up to kick off. CLICK HERE for more information.
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