First team coach Alex Morris says that there is no ‘special plan’ made because we are facing Port Vale in a local derby. Staffordshire-born Morris knows all about what the derby means to supporters with him having friends and family members who support the Valiants, but he says both camps will be operating the same during the build-up.

Ahead of this weekend’s derby game at Vale Park, Morris said: “We know what it means to the supporters and rightly so. We want to get the bragging rights for them and Port Vale will be thinking the same.

“I have family and friends who are Port Vale fans so I know how much it means to them as well. They are always vocal in the build up to the derby games!

“As a coach I prepare the same. You have to plan like any other game and try not to make such a big deal of it for the players. We don’t want the players to be highly charged. We want them to remain calm and play their football.

“There are no special plans in place but we have done our diligence on them and know what their strengths and weaknesses are.

“If you play well and win a derby game then it is utopia but it is all about winning and getting the three points. If we can go to Vale Park and come away with a win then it would be great for the supporters but also give us a real boost for the remaining five games we would have.”