Long-serving Shrewsbury Town defender Shane Cansdell-Sherriff insists there are no dangers of a Carling Cup distraction ahead of tomorrow’s top of the table League Two battle at Port Vale.

The third-and-fourth placed sides do battle in an early season Staffordshire-Shropshire derby at Vale Park tomorrow (1pm).

Shrewsbury take on Arsenal in London a little over 78 hours later in their much-anticipated Carling Cup round three encounter – but Cansdell-Sherriff insists the full focus will be on tomorrow’s lunchtime showdown.

“There won’t be a distraction because we all know how important the Port Vale game is, especially on the back of a defeat at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday,” said the popular Australian.

“We know where we need to be in the League and that’s the most important thing for us.

“We will all be focused on the game tomorrow and only after that will we start thinking about Arsenal.”

Manager Graham Turner is confident Town will relish the surroundings at Vale Park.

“It’s a big pitch and a good surface,” stressed the Town chief.

“I don’t think we played badly in any way shape or form on Tuesday, but the result didn’t go our way and we need to bounce back.

“Port Vale have had a good start and they are a difficult side to play against.

“We know what to expect and we want to stay consistent.

“We have had four wins out of five and we have to continue with the level of performances.”

Left-back Joe Jacobson has returned to training after being a late withdrawal at Bristol Rovers due to injury, but striker Terry Gornell is suspended.

Vale boss Micky Adams –whose side have won their last two games – is expecting a tough encounter.

“Graham Turner has a good footballing reputation – his teams are usually well-drilled and organised and he’s got good individual players,” said Adams.

“We know they’ve got some outstanding individuals, particularly in wide areas in Lionel Ainsworth and Mark Wright, plus Marvin Morgan has scored goals.”

By JAMES GARRISON