Port of recall

CHANGES could be made to the starting line-up by Lee Johnson despite describing Athletic’s efforts in defeat at Peterborough as “fantastic”.

Johnson expects to have injured David Mellor and Jonson Clarke-Harris back in action as Port Vale visit Boundary Park on Saturday.

“It is not life or death at this stage, but of course we would like a win,” said Johnson of the Vale game. “They had a good win on Saturday against Bradford. We have a couple of players coming back.

“We were fantastic (at London Road) and deserved a point, minimum.

“We believe in ourselves and in the first half the game plan worked to perfection, other than conceding one bad goal.

Johnson didn’t feel he could be too harsh on his troops: “I didn’t know what to do at the end of the game,” he admitted. “I was so pleased with the performance yet so down about the result.”

ATHLETIC have been drawn Shrewsbury away in the first round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

The tie will be at Greenhous Meadow in the week starting September 2.