Richards has scored three goals in Vale's five league games

Port vale striker Marc Richards says he is happy to take on a leader's role in the dressing room this season.

The 26-year-old is one of the more experienced Vale players, and he captained the team in the absence of the suspended skipper Sam Stockley.

Richards told BBC Radio Stoke: "Being one of the older heads, the younger players will be looking to the likes of me, Luke Rodgers and Sam Stockley.

"We need to guide the young players through what will be a tough season."

Although the team have struggled to find some consistency at the start of the term, Richards has impressed, scoring three times in five league appearances.

He added: "I'm obviously disappointed with the way some of the results have gone, but personally I was delighted to get off the mark in the first game [at Luton].

"To follow that with two more goals makes me reasonably happy, but I could be happier."