Team news from Stamford Bridge as Port Vale take on Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-final
16:32, 04 Apr 2026Updated 16:39, 04 Apr 2026
Port Vale players inspect the pitch before the Emirates FA Cup, quarter-final match at Stamford Bridge
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Port Vale players inspect the pitch before the Emirates FA Cup, quarter-final match at Stamford Bridge(Image: PA)
FA Cup hero Ben Waine returns to start for Port Vale and try to inspire a quarter-final shock against Chelsea.
Waine, who scored the winner in previous ties against Bristol City and Sunderland, is back from international duty with New Zealand to start up front for Jon Brady's side at Stamford Bridge, where the Valiants will be backed by 6,000 of their own supporters.
Martin Sherif, on loan from Everton, is also back in to start and Liam Gordon returns from international duty as well and Rhys Walters takes his place in midfield.
Jordan Shipley, George Hall, Jaheim Headley and Ethan Archer drop out from last weekend's defeat at Wycombe.
You can follow all the action as it happens from Stamford Bridge here.
Chelsea have gone almost full strength, captained by England star Cole Palmer.
Pedro Neto, Andrey Santos, Joao Pedro and Wesley Fofana are among the starters while former Stoke City striker Liam Delap is on the bench.
Vale legend Phil Sproson told Radio Stoke: "I couldn't imagine Ben Waine not playing today, even if he's been away on international duty. He's back and rested and this is his year in the cup. He's already made a bit of a name for himself and if he can do it on the massive stage today and possibly get an early goal to put the Vale in front or pull the Vale level then he'll enhance himself even further, which will attract attention from higher clubs.
"He has got raw pace. He seems to have relished the fact that Brady has come in and rates him highly - and boosted him by playing him because his confidence is there for all to see. Vale are a different side with Ben Waine in it."
Port Vale: Gauci, C Hall, Gabriel, Garrity, Walters, Ojo, Gordon, Waine, Sherif, John, Humphreys. Subs: Amos, Stockley, Archer, Croasdale, Shipley, Campbell, G Hall, Magloire, Gray.
Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Tosin, Hato, Lavia, Andrey Santos, Estevao, Palmer, Neto, Joao Pedro. Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Sarr, Cucurella, Essugo, Caicedo, Garnacho, Kavuma, McQueen, Delap
Can Vale cause a shock? Click HERE to join the debate
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