Mark Yates expects a great game against Port Vale on Saturday
Manager Mark Yates speaks to the media ahead of Port Vale this weekend."They're doing a recovery session today what with the weather and it's probably the perfect thing for the team that started on Monday. It was always going to be the case even if we'd got on the grass but we're going to Winchcombe with the boys that didn't start for a football morning. It's a day less if you like, but it's all about the recovery and preparation and sometimes you just have to adjust to what you wanted to do, but we're happy with that and we'll be ready for Saturday.
"The best thing for this group is recovery. They'll have a little bit about Port Vale put into their heads when they're back from the pool but we'll do what we normally do on a Friday and they'll know what they need to know.
"I don't have any quarms about the boys not being focused on league games. They won't be distracted by the Everton game as they're a professional squad. They know what's at stake - they know we're trying to get 15 points between now and then and the Everton game will take care of itself.
"We go to win every game. It's important we play well, it's important we compete and it's important we do as well as we can do and if we do that they give themselves a chance. Port Vale have had a fantastic start to the season and we're only a point behind so it should be a great game.
"Tom Pope is a threat as he's got as many goals as our top three scorers so of course he's a threat but so are their two wide players. They have a lot of good players and I've been to watch them a few times. Fair play to Micky and his squad, they play a way probably nobody else is brave enough to play in our division so we'll make sure we deal with them and play to our strengths as well.
"In the games I've seen them play they went for it and they've had a couple of big scores. They can score goals and we have to be wary of that threat but we also have to play our game as well.
"Their two wide players are big players for them with pace and power, they're quite direct and they're skillful when they ball gets to them so we'll make sure we deal with them like I said, but we're at home and have to make sure we don't lose sight of what we're about.
"It's difficult to select a team in general, let alone picking my front men. We've just had a staff meeting and a chat about Saturday. I've got players desperate to get involved and play. Russ Penn took one hell of a whack on Tuesday night but from the conversation I've had with the physio, it's that there's no way he wants to be left out and that's the attitude I want. I want them all fit and available, all ready to go and bursting to get out on the pitch and do the business and that makes my life a little more difficult but it's better for me that way.
"We'll assess Russ Penn if he's right, he's got the bit between his teeth you can see that, he's reacted superbly to not being in the side and has come back and made a difference and got us on the front foot. He wants to continue doing so but he puts one hell of a shift in and he did that for 80 minutes the other day and he was superb. If he's fit for Saturday then great.Â
"I'm looking for that from all my players. Marlon Pack's played about 100 games on the spin for this club and he's had a breather the last couple of games and when he comes back in, whether it's Saturday or next Friday, I expect him to be ready and refreshed. I'm not dropping him, players have to have a breather now and again and that's all we're doing with him at the moment.
"There are a few injuries with Jermain McGlashan taking a heavy whack, Darryl Duffy feels a bit sore but there's no point worrying about it. We'll assess what we've got today and tomorrow and see where are. We'll pick a team and a bit of work on it tomorrow and we'll be ready.
"I'm not in a desperate rush to go and buy anybody. We'll add if we think it's right in the right areas but I won't be looking to spend money on transfers at this moment in time."