STUART McCall will remind Michael Brown of the favours he’s done him in the past ahead of their reunion at Vale Park.

The City boss partnered opposite number Brown in Sheffield United’s midfield towards the end of his playing career – and jokingly claimed he did all the hard work for him.

Ahead of plotting his downfall at Vale, McCall said: “I had a good couple of seasons with Browny when he had his purple patch.

“I just sat behind him and did all his work while he went forward and hit screaming 30-yard volleys against Sheffield Wednesday!

“He was a good attacking midfield player but he had that bit of devilment about him and that will-to-win. He enjoyed his football so you could see Browny going into the coaching side.

“But he had that much money when he was younger he probably didn’t think he’d need to do it. He never used to spend any!

“He’s been thrown in the deep end a bit. But he’s been assistant manager all season so he knows the players.

“He’s also brought in (David) ‘Ned’ Kelly, who was part of the coaching staff at Sheffield United, so they’ll be using everything they can to get out of trouble.

“It will be good to catch up with him after the game.”

Mark Marshall faces a late test on his tight hamstring and McCall will not take any risks with him ahead of another busy run of three games in eight days.

Defender Tony McMahon insists morale within the camp remains very high despite the frustration of their latest draw against Bolton.

He said: “It was another game we should have won. But it would be more worrying for everyone if we weren’t creating chances.

“When you draw a game like that, you just want the next one to come along quick. We’ve had a good week and we’ll head for Port Vale full of confidence.”