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Port Vale's rookie central defender Joe Davis has told the press he is ready to make his first senior start against the Bulls on Tuesday night.
The 18 year old made only his second sub appearance in Saturday's loss to Crawley, coming in to deputise for the dismissed Clayton McDonald as the Valiants attempted to hang on to a point. The teenager was guilty of failing to clear the ball before Crawley's winner, but he told The Sentinel he was ready to step up for his first start:
"I've still got things to learn, but the lads will help me along with that. It will be a big week for me in training to try and impress the gaffer, get in his plans and if I get the chance to try and impress him tomorrow.
"I want to play at as high a level as I can and make that step up. I always love a challenge, so it's nice to come into first-team football. The tempo's faster and you're playing against better players – but I don't fear that.
"I think I can cope playing at this level, but I've still got to physically fill out."
Boss Micky Adams admitted it'll be a steep learning curve for the youngster: "We threw Joe in and he'll either sink or swim. He's got decent quality and has a lot to learn.
"But if we have to throw the kids in between now and the end of the season then that is just what we'll have to do. Under the circumstances maybe we'll have to use him again."
Adams previously had three experienced central defenders at his disposal but, with Gareth Owen out for the season and Lee Collins departed to Barnsley, he now only has John McCombe left to call on.
