Port Vale v Harrogate Town: Simon Weaver expecting toughest test yet

Last season’s National League play-off winners have made a positive start to their debut year as an EFL club, thumping Southend United 4-0 on the opening day before drawing 2-2 with Walsall last weekend.

But, the Valiants have been in even better form, winning both of their matches having ended 2019/20 unbeaten in eight.

“It’ll be a tough game, a big test and another gauge of where we are,” Weaver said.

“They [Vale] have started very positively. They are a good, hard-working team and they’ve won two on the bounce, and not by luck.

“They’ve got good expeience and talented players, pace out wide and a goal threat from midfield as well as up front on their big, wide pitch.

“In terms of experience and their line-up, they will be one of the fancied teams.”

Weaver expects to have a near-full-strength squad to pick from at Vale Park, though three-goal top-scorer Jack Muldoon faces a late fitness test after pulling up during the second half of Harrogate’s midweek FA Trophy success over Notts County.

“Jack had to come off with a tight muscle the other night and that would be a loss, but it would be an opportunity for someone else,” the Town chief added.

There is better news for Harrogate where James Belshaw is concerned, with Weaver confirming that his first-choice goalkeeper has come through a week’s worth of training unscathed following more than a month out with a thumb problem sustained just hours after the club returned for pre-season.

“The signs are promising. Belly has come through his first couple of training sessions really well,” Weaver said. “He’s looked fine and there’s an outside chance he could play at Port Vale.

"But the excellent form of Joe [Cracknell] between the sticks means that we’re under no pressure to rush him back before we know he’s 100 per cent ready.

"The last thing we want to do is risk him before he’s completely right and end up with a very important player sidelined again.”

Kick-off at Vale Park is at 3pm.