Port Vale’s former Oxford United winger Lewis Haldane will be a big danger to the U’s if he starts tomorrow.

Haldane, who was with Oxford in 2008-9 on a season-long loan from Bristol Rovers, picked up a knock on his ankle in Vale’s win at Aldershot on February 26.

He has started, but had to come off in the second half in their last three games.

But, playing on the right side of an attacking midfield three in boss Jim Gannon’s 4-2-3-1 formation, he can fly down the right and deliver useful crosses.

Haldane, remembered as much for his tattoos as for his football when he was at the Kassam Stadium, did not set the world alight at United, scoring three times in 43 league games.

But the pacy winger showed on occasions that he could be a dangerous player.

He initially joined Port Vale for a trial period but the loans were extended, and he eventually signed permanently for them in the 2010 January transfer window.

Former Vale boss Micky Adams said of him: “Lewis is a confidence player, the type who needs people to have belief in him . . . quick, but he’s not the finished article.

“His final ball lets him down at times but when he is in full flow he can be quite exciting.”

He missed the first half of this season when he was rushed into hospital after being bitten by an insect during training.

It kept him bed-ridden and he spent two weeks in hospital, having to wait until November before he was match-fit.

Lewis made a special gesture to his girlfriend Michelle on Valentine’s Day last month, having her name tattooed in big letters down his torso.