Pompey boss Danny Cowley has paid tribute to Marlon Pack as he prepares to make his 500th Football League appearance.

The midfielder, the star of the Blues' good start to the season, will reach the milestone when he features for Pompey at Vale Park on Saturday.

Cowley told the Pompey website: 'It says everything about his professionalism and the way he looks after himself. On Monday morning, him and Michael Morrison were first in the gym.

'When you look after yourself in that way and make those sacrifices, then you’re able to play really consistently. It’s a brilliant achievement for Marlon and he’s an excellent role model for the younger players at the club.'

Cowley takes his side to Vale Park - where Pompey have not played for 22 years - hoping to see a return to winning ways following the Carabao Cup loss at Newport in midweek. And we're likely to see a line-up much closer to the one that saw off Bristol Rovers than the one who lost at Rodney Parade.

Cowley told the media: 'Frustration is the right word for Tuesday night because we should really have been out of sight by half-time and were masters of our own downfall. But we made changes because we were respectful of the fact that Port Vale had a free week. We wanted to make sure we’re physically and mentally fresh enough.

'They’ve got a lot of good attacking options and are a real threat from wide areas, so it will be tough. Port Vale were promoted last season and will still carry momentum from that. They won’t struggle with the squad they have.

'We know we have to be at our best on what’s a really big pitch and that has played a part in our preparations.”'

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