PORT Vale will be missing their top scorer again tomorrow.

Alex Jones may have joined City at the start of last month but he remains Vale’s leading hitman with ten goals.

The struggling Valiants are yet to win a game since the striker ended his half-season loan before signing for Stuart McCall.

Vale have gone seven games since they last beat Chesterfield on December 30 – and that has been their only win in the last 14 league attempts.

It is a wretched run which also saw Bruno Ribeiro resign on Boxing Day after just six months.

Michael Brown took over from the Portuguese, pictured, on a caretaker basis – and began with that victory - but has not been able to arrest the slide.

Vale currently occupy a bottom-four slot for the first time but a win over City could lift them three places.

Brown insists falling into a relegation spot does not change his mind-set ahead of tomorrow.

He said: “It is no different whatsoever from my part.

“The club and supporters might look at that but we are playing the games with regards to what wins we need and where we are at, that’s not changed.

“The boys are doing the right things and taking it on board. The spirit has pleased me and the work ethic and desire not to concede goals.”

Brown has problems in central defence for the Bantams clash as Kjell Knops starts a two-game suspension.

With Remie Streete injured, that leaves Nathan Smith as the only senior central defender available.

Brown is looking at free agents but has warned it is unlikely any new addition would be fit enough to be plunged straight into action.

Ben Purkiss could be moved across from right back, with his position taken up by teenager James Gibbons.

Alternatively, Danny Pugh might drop back from his holding midfield role.