Smith starts: The predicted Port Vale XI to face Walsall on Tuesday evening | OneFootball

Port Vale came unstuck in dramatic circumstances against Oldham Athletic on the weekend as a 92nd-minute own goal ensured they left Boundary Park empty-handed.

Darrell Clarke’s side remain in the automatic promotion places but will no doubt be keen for an immediate response when they face Walsall at home on Tuesday night.

Walsall are on a difficult run themselves and are without a win in their last three games in all competitions, which should make this an interesting tie at Vale Park.

With that in mind, we’ve outlined who we think Clarke will start tomorrow evening…

Goalkeeper Lucas Covolan has been ever-present in the Port Vale side this season and we can expect to see him between the sticks once again.

Aaron Martin’s return to the back three did not go as planned as he put the ball in his own net in stoppage time to give Oldham the three points and with Nathan Smith having now served his one-match suspension, he should regain his place in the side.

Tom Conlon and Ben Garrity enjoyed the freedom that their slightly more attacking roles in midfield allowed them on the weekend, with Tom Pett sitting in front of the back three.

We can expect to see Clarke opt for that system once again, with David Worrall and James Gibbons on the flanks.

James Wilson missed the Oldham match due to a broken foot and the former Manchester United striker is not expected to return for several weeks, so he’ll be absent once again tomorrow.

That will leave the home side with David Amoo, Devante Rodney, George Lloyd, and Dennis Politic to choose from up top.

Amoo was hugely impressive against the Latics and will likely reprise his role but with Rodney coming back from injury himself recently, it would be no surprise to see Politic replacing him in the starting XI tomorrow.

Vale have to be looking at the game against Walsall as a chance to keep the pressure on league leaders Forest Green Rovers.