Port Vale's Louis Dodds predicts 'open' League Two

Louis Dodds has signed a new contract that will keep him at Vale until 2012

Port Vale midfielder Louis Dodds has said more teams will believe they can win promotion from League Two when the new season gets under way in August.

Dodds, 23, told BBC Radio Stoke that promoted duo Stevenage and Oxford will add to the strength of the division.

"A few years ago, the gulf between League Two and the Conference was massive," said the midfielder.

"It will be quite tough, but I think it might be a bit more open and hopefully we will be one of the front-runners."

He added: "The likes of Notts County have gone up, who had all of the money and all of the best players."

Vale have first-hand experience of facing Stevenage as Dodds scored the winning goal in an FA Cup first round replay at Broadhall Way in November, following a 1-1 draw at Vale Park.

Dodds, who started 33 of Vale's 46 league games last season, is hopeful of securing a regular place in Micky Adams' line-up after signing a new two-year contract with the club.

"I just want to play as many games as I can," said the former Leicester trainee. "I know it sounds boring, but I'd just like to play anywhere in the team."

The midfielder, who is three appearances away from reaching 100 for Vale, was chosen to model the club's new home kit for the upcoming season.