Wanderers are back in Sky Bet League One action as they take on newly promoted side Port Vale at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
The Whites sealed their place in the Second Round of the Emirates FA Cup last weekend with a 2-1 win over Huddersfield Town.
Port Vale come into this match with no league win in their last four and are on a run of back-to-back defeats against Stockport County and ten-man Wigan Athletic.
The Staffordshire side had a change of fortune in the FA Cup last weekend with a 5-1 win over 8th tier Maldon & Tiptree.
Press Conferences
Steven Schumacher: "It will be a tough game. I was surprised when I looked at their league position as I don’t think they are a team who deserve to be down where they are at the moment. I think from an attacking point of view, they have created big chances all season and they haven’t given up their goal either.
"They seem like they are doing a lot of good things, but they are getting punished in big moments, which is what we’ve spoken about a lot this season.
"I think it will be a tough game, I think it will be a game that if we get on the front foot and off to a good start and get the first goal, it will be crucial but if we don’t do that, we must find a way to stay patient and calm and try and find a way to win.
"The performances have been good at home, we’ve drawn two games and probably should have won both of them, but the way that we’ve played has been good, it’s been positive and good to watch, the last two results have been against top, top opposition and we want to try and continue that momentum."
Port Vale Boss Darren Moore: "When you come to games like this on Saturday, I said to the players when they were wanting to become a professional player and they imagined themselves in the arena, they are certainly going to be in that arena on Saturday playing a big game.
"The magnitude is to be embraced, enjoyed and they should look forward to the challenges that lie ahead, but also make sure they are spot on with their work and detail going forward.
"It is something we are looking forward to, it’s a great game. They are going really, really well and it’s a game that we’re going to have to be at the top of our performance in terms of 10 out of 10 performances from the team.
"Certainly with them being the home team, you expect them to come at you from the start, it is a different game in terms of the arena we are going into."
Team News
John McAtee has returned to training this week ahead of Saturday's game against Port Vale after suffering a shoulder injury in the league win over Huddersfield Town.
Midfielder Ethan Erhahon and winger Thierry Gale have also returned to training. The pair have overcome injuries to their thigh and knee respectively.
For the Valiants, centre-half Kyle John missed last week's FA Cup tie but has been back on the grass this week and looks likely to feature.
Midfielder Funso Ojo will be unavailable for this weekend's match. Back spasms from kicking a football in training means Saturday will come too soon.
Kick-off
Saturday 3pm.
Referee
Martin Coy will officiate this game.
He last took charge in Wanderers' 2-1 win over Burton Albion in October 2024.
Tickets/Wanderers TV
Tickets will remain on sale so be sure to get yours by clicking HERE.
For those not going to the game, audio passes will be available, as always, for UK-based supporters to listen to full commentary with Derek Clark via Wanderers TV. Those based internationally can stream the game through a live video match pass on Wanderers TV.
Click HERE to purchase a pass.