PORT Vale will be without League Two October Player of the Month contender Ashley Vincent for tomorrow’s home clash with York City.

Vincent, who scored twice last month, will learn today whether he wins the award, with Fleetwood’s Junior Brown and Tom Craddock, of Oxford, also nominated.

But his fifth booking of the season – for deliberate handball as he bundled a disallowed close-range shot over the line during Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Southend – means the former Colchester and Cheltenham winger will be suspended for the match against the Minstermen.

Midfielder Sam Morsy is also still banned following his recent red card against Rochdale, while 17- goal top scorer Tom Pope is walking a disciplinary tightrope as he is just one caution away from an enforced lay-off.

But centre-back John McCombe is available again after serving his three-game suspension.

Vincent’s absence could mean a full debut for 18-year-old winger Ryan Lloyd with another option depending on the fitness of skipper Doug Loft, who is rated 50-50 for the match after missing training this week due to a calf strain.

If Loft was to recover, he could slot in at left-back, allowing Rob Taylor to move up into Vincent’s midfield role.

Early high-fliers Vale have not won any of their last four league matches with draws against Southend (0-0), Rochdale (2-2) and Burton (1-1), as well as a 2-0 defeat at Northampton.

Micky Adams’ men remain second in the table but only on goal difference from Cheltenham with both teams five points behind table-topping Gillingham.

The leaders, though, are still the only team to take maximum points at Burslem this season, following a 1-0 win.

Vale are also the division’s leading marksmen with 35 goals, averaging 2.5 a game from their home fixtures.

The form of ex-Crewe and Rotherham striker Pope has been fundamental in those statistics with his 17 goals in 21 games this season coming after he netted just eight times in his previous 58 outings for the Valiants.

Port Vale (probable): Neal, Yates, McCombe, McDonald, Taylor, Myrie- Williams, Dodds, Burge, Lloyd, Williamson, Pope.

MATCH facts

CITY’S last Football League visit to Vale Park was in April 1994 when they lost a Division Two (League One) fixture 2-1.

Steve Cooper was on target and making his League debut was 19-year-old-Graeme Murty.

In total Port Vale have made 23 League trips to Burslem, winning three times and drawing seven. The victories were recorded in 1976/77 2-1, 1979/80 2-1, and 1986/87 3-2.

Their biggest defeat was 5-0 in 1953/54.

Their last visit to this ground was on August 12, 1997, when they won a first round first leg League Cup tie 2-1 with Gary Bull and Steve Bushell on the scoresheet.

In Vale’s line-up were Paul Musselwhite and Jon McCarthy and City’s team was: Samways, McMillan, Tutill, Barras, Hall, Campbell (Stephenson), Bushell. Tinkler, Pouton, Rowe (Tolson), Bull.

(City progressed to the second round following a 1-1 draw at Bootham Crescent in the second leg).

Other players to have appeared for both clubs include Keith Houchen, Simon Mills and Gary Ford, and ex-City boss Martin Foyle, right, played for Port Vale.

It happened on November 17

1973: Chris Jones and John Peachey scored in a 2-0 win at Shrewsbury Town to move City up to second in Division Three (League One). It was the 15th League game without defeat and 10th successive clean sheet.

1979: A 2-2 draw at home to Bradford City in the Fourth Division with Kevin Randall and Roy Kay the scorers watched by 3,832.

1984: In the first round of the FA Cup, City beat Blue Star 2- 0 at Bootham Crescent in front of 3,836. On target were Keith Walwyn and Keith Houchen.

1990: Tony Canham netted in a 1-1 draw at Darlington in round one of the FA Cup. He was also on the scoresheet in the replay as City progressd 1-0 in the competition.

2007: A 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Salisbury City brought an end to Billy McEwan’s, right, tenure as manager. Paul Brayson was the scorer and the attendance was 2,303.

Compiled by David Batters