JAK Alnwick is geared up for finally making his first appearance at Valley Parade tomorrow.

The Port Vale keeper joined City on loan from former club Newcastle in March after Jordan Pickford’s return to Sunderland.

But he was limited to only one game for the Bantams – in a 1-1 draw at Notts County when Ben Williams was being saved for the FA Cup quarter-final replay against Reading two days later.

Alnwick then damaged his wrist during training and needed surgery which put paid to his hopes of another outing.

The 22-year-old was released by Newcastle over the summer and signed a five-month deal with Vale two days before the start of the season.

But he has made a superb start with four clean sheets in the first six games, including Tuesday’s marathon effort against West Brom in the Capital One Cup.

Vale kept Tony Pulis’ Premier League side out for the full 120 minutes before eventually going down 5-3 on penalties.

But Alnwick believes they can use that dogged effort at the Hawthorns as a spur against the Bantams.

He said: “We are disappointed to go out but we are not going to look at that too much. We are just going to move on to Bradford, which is a big game.

“We have just given a top Premier League club a great game so we don’t fear anybody now. The lads are raring to go again (tomorrow).

“The lads have been great in front of me but a team like West Brom are going to break you down and so it is down to me to make a couple of saves.

“We have worked on our shape a lot and defensively we look solid. On a personal note I am really pleased but I couldn’t have done it without the lads.

“I have to say we look very good but that’s not just the back four. Anthony Grant does a massive job defensively, so does the whole team.”

Boss Rob Page is confident there will be no Hawthorns hangover tomorrow as Vale look to maintain their unbeaten league start.

He said: “I’ve told the players if they compete like that every week they will win more than they lose.”