Port Vale are currently third from bottom in League Two, just five points away from the dreaded drop zone.

It's been a miserable eighteen months for Valiant fans after their side suffered a relegation from League One, and they're currently embroiled in a battle to avoid back to back relegations.

They meet fellow strugglers Grimsby Town this weekend in a vital clash which both sides have to win. Neil Aspin is going to be without leading scorer and captain Tom Pope too, compounding the misery for his ailing side.

As quoted by the club's official site ahead of the game, Neil Aspin laid down the gauntlet to his remaining strikers; "Knowing that Tom's not going to be able to play, it gives them the opportunity where they might think then, if I do well I might stay in the team. We've got a week's training, you're hoping people can train well and who are desperately wanting to get the shirt for Saturday. We'll be in the position where we can train on grass, give players an opportunity and then it's up to them to show that they want it."

Pope has scored 14 this season for Aspin's side, whereas the next leading scorers are Dan Turner on three goals and Cristian Montano on four. Turner has started just three games this season and has had spells at Tamworth and Worcester in the past. Aspin confirmed he would be in his thoughts ahead of the game.

"He will be considered like all the other forwards. There's no problem with Dan, I felt he needed to go out on loan to try and experience getting some more football. I think he learnt that it's not easy even dropping down a couple of leagues. The main thing is that he's realised, he's not deluded, he knows that when he's had chances he's not done as well as he would've liked."

Both Vale and Grimsby are without a win in 2018, Vale's last three points came on December 30th when they surprisingly beat leaders Luton 4-0. Grimsby haven't won since the visit of Forest Green on December 9th.

The Verdict

Expect a scrappy game, low on quality but high in unforced errors. Both sides are fighting against the drop, neither look to have the quality to get out of their predicament either. Tom Pope represented Vale's best chance whereas Grimsby might benefit from having recently appointed Michael Jolley. I'm not sure if this is a game both sides will be trying to win, or one they'll be trying not to lose.