Robert Page: Port Vale to give caretaker boss six-week chance

Page started his career at Watford and also played for Sheff Utd, Cardiff, Coventry, Huddersfield and Chesterfield

Port Vale chairman Norman Smurthwaite says caretaker manager Robert Page has "until the end of October" to prove he can succeed Micky Adams as boss.

Adams resigned this week after the Valiants lost six successive matches.

His assistant Page, 41, has been put in charge, while Smurthwaite has consulted former Stoke City boss Tony Pulis about how to handle the vacancy.

"Rob Page will be interim manager until further notice," Smurthwaite told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I've given Tony Pulis a ring, I like his whole work ethic. It was to ask him for his advice - not to ask him to be manager of Port Vale."

As a defender, Page won 41 caps for Wales and made 550 career appearances over 18 years with spells at Sheffield United, Coventry and Cardiff.

The 40-year-old arrived at Vale Park in the summer of 2011 to work with the club's youth team, and was placed in temporary charge last season while Adams underwent hip surgery.

This season he stepped up to the position of assistant manager, having last summer applied for the job as Sheffield United manager.

"If a new manager does come in, they'll have to work with Rob Page - that's the deal and it is part of my plan," added Smurthwaite.