David Howland believes doomed Port Vale can hit the ground running in League Two next season.

The 21-year-old midfielder, on loan from Birmingham, hit the winner deep into stoppage time in last Saturday's 2-1 home victory over Leyton Orient.

At least the Potteries strugglers are going down fighting. That stretched their recent run to three wins and a draw from the last five games.

Only another victory at Withdean will guarantee prolonging their fate.

Relegation will be confirmed if they lose and Crewe pick up at least a point at home to Southend.

Even a draw will not be enough for Vale if Crewe win and Millwall are not beaten at home by Gillingham but Howland reckons the virtual certainty of going down means Vale are now playing with more freedom.

He explained: "I think we got to the point where we were so low and couldn't get any lower.

"The lads relaxed a little bit and I think we have also got a bit of luck on our side now as well.

"There's a good team spirit. If we don't stay up - and it looks like we probably won't - it still all bodes well for next season.

"The manager (Lee Sinnott) has set us a target if we don't stay up of getting as close to staying up as we possibly can. The next five games are massive to us, we are still fighting."

Howland could be part of Vale's squad for next season. The Northern Ireland under-21 international said: "My contract is up at the end of the season and I'm not sure what the situation is.

"All I'm concentrating on is the fact I'm a Port Vale player, so I'm giving my best for the club."

Sinnott is already plotting next season's bid to bounce straight back up. Four trialists featured in the reserves against Huddersfield this week.

Middlesbrough striker Steve Thompson and Nuneaton midfielder Robert Taylor both scored.

Aberdeen leftback Dan Smith and Hucknall's versatile defender Bobby Wilson were also given a run-out.

Sinnott has told his squad to forget about a relaxing summer as he prepares to crack the whip in pre-season.

The players will report back for duty on June 25 and can expect a regime of hard work as the former Farsley Celtic chief prepares for the high-tempo football he plans to play next season.

Sinnott gave the squad a taste of what to expect after taking charge in November when he initially doubled training sessions, although he did not work them too hard.

He said: "You can't keep on at it. Otherwise you will have burn out, especially at this time of year when you have players who are naturally starting to flag a little bit mentally and physically.

"It is a case of handling them correctly and not burning them out.

"I will be looking forward to pre-season. That is not just me being nasty, it is to implement what is required.

"We will be better for it and that is what people have to remember.

"I'm working on quite a few things with Dave Barron (fitness coach) because the close season is the time to start again."