HALIFAX boss Neil Aspin has been recommended for the vacant Port Vale post – but he is among at least 70 others.

Aspin, who played 405 games for the club, has been well backed with the bookies because of his on-going success with the Shaymen. They are currently third in the Conference after last season's play-off exit.

Chairman Norman Smurthwaite revealed that Vale have been approached by an agent putting Aspin's name forward but had not spoken to him.

There has been heavy interest in the post since Micky Adams left eight days ago but caretaker manager Rob Page remains favourite.

Page, who was Adams' number two, has been given until the end of October to prove himself in the role.

He made a flying start with a 2-1 win over Barnsley in his opening game, Mark Marshall's late strike ending a run of six successive defeats.

Page is looking to add up to two new players to his squad ahead of tomorrow's City clash. But striker Achille Campion, who was at Valley Parade on trial in pre-season, is unlikely to be involved because of a thigh strain.

Vale are fourth from bottom but top scorer Tom Pope, so often City's nemesis, is refusing to write off their chances this early.

He said: "We lost six games on the bounce but we are still only six points off the play-offs. There's no reason why we can't put a winning run together."