Yates joined Vale from League Two rivals Morecambe in the summer

Port Vale manager Micky Adams is confident that right-back Adam Yates can fill the void left by Sam Stockley, who has retired because of injury.

Yates is expected to start the FA Cup first round tie at home to non-league Stevenage at Vale Park on Saturday.

Adams told BBC Radio Stoke: "We've got Adam and Anthony Griffith who have played there before so we are reasonably comfortable on that side.

"Adam will get the opportunity on Saturday to stake a claim."

Stockley announced his retirement on Monday because of an eye problem, which left him with double vision while he was on the pitch.

The Vale boss added that once Stockley had made the decision to quit, he could not try and persuade him to change his mind.

"Since I've been at the football club, he's improved and he's been playing as well as anyone.

"We had a discussion about it about two months ago and I told him to go away and think about it with his family.

"I was slightly shocked when he told me, but when the medical people tell you that one more hit in the face could end up with you losing your eyesight, it's a simple decision.

"It's a decision that Sam has thought long and hard about. From a psychological point of view, it will be a massive weight lifted off his shoulders."

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