Accurate Alex is big Vale threat

ALEX Jones has struck nine goals for Port Vale so far this season

PORT Vale have found the goal-den touch with nine-goal forward Alex Jones and will bid to further embellish a top-notch home record with the visit of Athletic tonight.

Jones (22), who is on loan at Vale Park from Birmingham for the time being - though Valients chairman Norman Smurthwaite has confirmed he wants to land him permanently - has shone in boss Bruno Ribeiro's side.

His loan ends in January, but Athletic will certainly need to be wary of the shooting accuracy of the most accurate marksman in the division. Of his 19 shots at goal, 16 have been on target.

And Jones is not the only player who has attracted attention through the Potteries club's positive start to the campaign.

Only Scunthorpe can top a sequence of six wins, two draws and one defeat on home soil. A further victory tonight could take Ribeiro's side back into the top-six, helping wipe memories of the 2-0 loss at Charlton at the weekend.

DEFENSIVE

A young defensive trio have played their part so far, with not a game missed between goalkeeper Jak Alnwick (23) and central defensive duo Nathan Smith (20) and former Newcastle man Remi Streete (22).

Smith has been linked to a £1.5million swoop by local rivals Stoke, while Streete's influence in his second campaign at the club has been enough for talk to be generated concerning a new contract for next season.

"I have seven months left until the end of the season and I am just playing my football," Streete told the Stoke Sentinel. "I was frustrated last year, because I didn't get the opportunities on the pitch and I only played about a quarter of the games.

"I just want to show everyone what I can do and I am getting the chance this season so I am just grateful for that."

While Vale's home form is very impressive, they have fared far less well on the road where only five points have been collected from a possible 27.

The club's only loss at home so far came at the hands of Coventry, who won 2-0 on October 1.