Rovers are in away League One action for the second time in a week as we travel to Staffordshire to take on Port Vale on Saturday afternoon.

Head Coach Ian Burchnall will be looking for a reaction from his side following our 4-1 defeat to Peterborough United on Tuesday night.

Here's the lowdown on the Valiants ahead of our trip to Vale Park.

ABOUT VALE

First founded in 1876 then named Burslem Port Vale, the club were invited to be founder members of the Second Division in 1892.

The club liquidated in 1907 before reforming as Port Vale FC and were elected to the Football League in 1919 where they still remain today.

The Valiants currently play at Vale Park, formerly known as 'the Wembley of the North' which they moved into back in 1950.

Honours for the club include Third and Fourth Division titles as well as two EFL Trophy wins.

IN THE DUGOUT: DARRELL CLARKE

Port Vale boss Darrell Clarke joined the club in February of last year taking over from former boss John Askey.

A central midfielder in his playing days, Clarke turned out in the professional game for the likes of Mansfield Town, Hartlepool United and a brief spell with the Valiants.

Clarke dropped down into non-league football in 2007 joining then Conference Premier side Salisbury City where he played for six years.

The 44-year-old took on a managerial role with Salisbury whilst still playing at the club in 2010 and impressed securing two promotions as well as an FA Cup run to the third round proper.

His impressive stint in Wiltshire saw Clarke gain traction before he became Bristol Rovers assistant manager in 2013, then manager in March 2014 where he remained for four years.

Walsall was the next destination for Clarke where he joined in 2019 after their relegation to League Two although his time there was short, as he made way to Port Vale just over a year later.

Clarke has had a noteworthy time as Valiants boss so far as he led Vale to League Two play-off final success last season, getting the club back to the third tier for the first time since 2017.

ONE TO WATCH: ELLIS HARRISON

Valiants frontman Ellis Harrison signed for Port Vale back in the Summer from Fleetwood Town, reuniting with his former gaffer in Darrell Clarke.

Born in Newport, Harrison began his career across the River Severn with Bristol Rovers where he made his debut aged just 17.

He played a big part in Rovers' return to the Football League back in 2015 under Clarke and called time at The Mem in 2018, moving to Ipswich Town.

The Welsh youth international's time at Portman Road however was hindered largely due to injury before he was moved on to Portsmouth.

Two and a half years were to follow with Pompey before a brief spell at Fleetwood and then a move to Vale earlier this year.

And Harrison has had an impressive start to life in Staffordshire having already netted six league goals this term.

FORM - WLLWD

13/09/22 - Barnsley 1-1 Port Vale

17/09/22 - Port Vale 2-1 Shrewsbury Town

24/09/22 - Peterborough United 3-0 Port Vale

01/10/22 - Port Vale 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday

08/10/22 - Derby County 1-2 Port Vale

LAST TIME OUT

Port Vale shocked the odds as they defeated Derby County by two goals to one at Pride Park last weekend.

It was the hosts however who took the lead in the opening five minutes as James Collins blasted home after Tom Barkhuizen picked him out on the edge of the box.

Vale had a great chance to get back into things from the spot kick just 10 minutes later but skipper Tom Conlon spurned the chance, missing the target.

They were awarded another penalty 10 minutes after the break and wouldn't make the mistake this time around as Ellis Harrison fired home past Joe Wildsmith.

Just moments later the hosts were reduced to 10 men when the goalscorer Collins was given his marching orders for violent conduct.

And Vale would capitalise on that 25 minutes from time when James Wilson latched on to a Harrison touch to rifle home and secure an impressive three points.