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CHRIS Birchall says he can't afford to let his standards slip as he competes with Jennison Myrie-Williams for the right wing spot at Vale Park.

Birchall, aged 29, appears to be in pole position to start at home against Bristol City on Saturday having replaced Myrie-Williams as Vale came from behind to beat Coventry, and then started in Saturday's 1-0 win at Tranmere.

Birchall expects boss Micky Adams and his staff to make tactical decisions depending on whether they want a wide midfielder or specialist winger Myrie-Williams.

However, he says he has no chance of keeping Myrie-Williams out of the side if he is playing badly.

Birchall said: "I know how easy it is to lose your place, especially as we have Jenno here. He's one of the best wingers in the league.

"But we are different sorts of players. Either way, we are a tight-knit unit and everyone is fully behind whoever is playing."

Birchall broke into the side at Vale as a right winger more than a decade ago, but became a central midfielder as his career developed.

Vale also have pacy left-winger Kaid Mohamed, but caretaker boss Rob Page kept skipper Doug Loft on the left on Saturday as a 'wingless-wonders' formation created plenty of chances at Prenton Park.

Birchall added: "The manager has tried a few games with out-and-out wingers Mo and Jenno.

"Sometimes it will work and sometimes it won't.

"When it is me and Doug Loft then it is to keep us more compact and then break out when we have the ball. It is horses for courses.

"Playing more as a central midfielder for Trinidad and LA Galaxy has adapted my game for when I play on the right.

"I cut in more and sometimes don't try to beat my man when I am on the right, I just try to whip crosses in for the likes of Tom Pope and Ben Williamson."