Port Vale manager Lee Sinnott welcomes back defender Krystian Pearce for the visit of Oldham Athletic to Vale Park on Saturday.Pearce, who is on loan from Birmingham, has completed a two-game suspension after being sent off in the defeat to Hartlepool and is likely to earn an instant recall after Sinnott blasted his team following last week's 3-0 loss at Millwall.

Marc Richards made his first appearance since January 2 as a 60th-minute substitute against the Lions and will hope to have done enough to earn a starting berth this week.

Craig Rocastle and Joe Cardle also came off the bench and they too will hope for a promotion to Sinnott's XI against the Latics.

Doubts remain over the fitness of Adam Eckersley, who has missed the Valiants' last two games with an ankle problem.

Midfielder Robin Hulbert has returned to training after fracturing his collarbone last month but the game may come too soon for him.

More Football News from TEAMtalk