Port Vale: Chris Lines could be fit for Brentford trip
| Posted: January 09, 2014
ON THE MEND: Vale midfielder Chris Lines has been sidelined with a cracked rib, but has been training and could be fit for Saturday.
PORT Vale are hoping Chris Lines will be fit for Saturday's trip to League One leaders Brentford.
The midfield play-maker has missed Vale's last two games, but has been able to take part in light training this week after making a rapid recovery from a cracked rib.
Manager Micky Adams said: "Chris was able to train on Tuesday, but we will continue to monitor him.
"Training is non-contact for him at the moment, but he is running and feels okay. Hopefully he will be okay for Saturday."
Lines' return would be a huge lift for the Valiants, who fell well below their usual standards when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Plymouth at Vale Park in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.
Vale face an even tougher test on Saturday as they travel to a top-of-the table Brentford side who have won 13 of their last 15 games.
Defender Richard Duffy will miss the game, and is expected to require a lengthy lay-off after he was stretchered off with an ankle injury in the Plymouth game.
Vale have brought in 19-year-old defender Jack Grimmer on loan from Fulham, and have also brought centre-half Joe Davis back to Vale Park after denying Luton's request to extend his loan.
Davis, aged 20, has impressed in nine appearances for the Skrill Premier Leaders.
Adams said: "Joe's loan was up and Luton expressed a desire to renew it, but after Richard Duffy's injury we couldn't take that chance."
Grimmer and Davis are set to be in the squad for the trip to Brentford, but Grimmer can't play in the FA Cup replay at Plymouth next Tuesday.
FA Cup rules say players can't appear in replays unless they were signed before the initial game.
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