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Port Vale secured promotion back to League One last season, finishing as runners-up in League Two, four points behind champions Doncaster Rovers. They bounced straight back from relegation the previous season, when they finished 23rd in the league.

The Valiants have the same record as Reading so far this season and are searching for their first win after two draws and three losses in their first five games. Draws came against Burton Albion and Cardiff City, while they come into this weekend’s game off back of back-to-back home league losses, against Stevenage and Doncaster. They did progress to the third round of the League Cup during the week, however, beating last season’s League One champions Birmingham City 0-1 at St Andrews.

The spoils were shared between the two sides when they played each other in the 2023/24 season. Vale won 1-0 at home before Reading claimed a 2-0 home win in the rearranged fixture after the famous pitch invasion in January 2024.

The boss

Darren Moore: Moore was appointed Port Vale manager in February 2024, taking over from former Royals assistant manager Andy Crosby, who was sacked after just under a year in charge.

A former centre-back, Moore had a 20-year playing career, representing the likes of Torquay United, West Bromwich Albion, Derby and Barnsley. After playing, he started his coaching career at West Brom, coaching their under-18s.

He became caretaker manager in 2018, which led to him becoming permanent manager of the Baggies. He was sacked the following year despite West Brom sitting in the playoffs during the back end of the season. Moore went on to manage another former club, Doncaster Rovers, where he spent a year and a half managing in League One.

Moore joined Sheffield Wednesday in March 2021, but was unable to save them from relegation from the Championship. The following season he guided Wednesday to the playoffs, but they were unable to beat Sunderland, who went on to secure promotion.

He did guide the side back to the Championship the following season, winning the playoffs, beating Barnsley 1-0 in the final. He left Wednesday that summer and had a short spell at Huddersfield Town before becoming Valiants boss.

Vale were relegated from League One in Moore’s first season, however he guided them back to the third tier at the first attempt, finishing 2nd in League Two last season. Moore is known for his strong man-management and motivational skills.

Squad

Port Vale completed a summer rebuild upon their return to League One, bringing in 10 new players so far.

Two goalkeepers have arrived in the shape of Marko Marosi, who signed on a free, having previously been at Cambridge United; and Joe Gauci, who joined on a season-long loan from Aston Villa.

Defensive reinforcements include full-back Jordan Gabriel, formerly of Blackpool; Liam Gordon, who signed on a free from Walsall; and Cameron Humphreys, who joined from Rotherham United.

Midfielders Rico Richards and Jordan Shipley also came in, having previously been at Aston Villa and Shrewsbury Town respectively.

Three front-line reinforcements arrived with Ben Waine joining on a free, following the end of his contract at Plymouth; while Mo Faal and Dajaune Brown signed on season-long loans from Wrexham and Derby County.

Midfielder George Byers could return to the starting line-up after serving a three-game suspension for a red card earlier in the season. However, forward Jordan Stockley is expected to continue to miss out through injury. 

Predicted lineup

Gauci, John, Humphreys, Hall, Clark, Headley, Byers, Shipley, Ojo, Curtis, Waine

Key player

5. Connor Hall: Defender Hall signed for Port Vale in July 2024 from Colchester United for an undisclosed fee, starting his second spell at the Valiants.

He started his career at Bury Town, making his professional debut in 2011, and had a short stint at St Neots Town before rejoining Bury. He built his career in non-league, also representing the likes of Biggleswade Town, Brackley Town and Harrogate Town.

However, it was at Harrogate where Hall had his first taste of life in the Football League, having helped them secure promotion to League Two in 2020. His first spell at Port Vale began in 2022, signing from Harrogate for an undisclosed fee, but he was only at the club for a year before joining Colchester United, where he became captain.

Hall rejoined Port Vale last summer and helped them secure promotion back to League One, while also being named in the League Two team of the season. The 32-year-old is a centre-back, who at 6 foot 4 inches tall is strong in the air but also comfortable on the ball.

One to watch

26. Jordan Shipley Midfielder Shipley joined Port Vale this summer on a free transfer, following the end of his contract at recently relegated Shrewsbury Town.

He started his career in the youth system at Coventry City and made his debut for the club in 2017. Having been at the club since the age of seven, Shipley went on to make 163 appearances for the Sky Blues, representing them across all three of the divisions in the Football League, while also scoring 20 goals.

He signed for Shrewsbury in 2022, spending three seasons with the Shrews, adding another 125 appearances to his career tally, plus another 16 goals.

The 27-year-old is a centre midfielder who is a strong passer of the ball and is a creative threat, with two assists to his name so far this season.