Jon McCarthy says Vale have a real battle on to avoid relegation.

Speaking after Saturday's 3-1 home defeat by Bournemouth McCarthy told BBC Radio Stoke: "It's bleak for the Vale.

"You can't fault the effort of the players but, in terms of quality, experience and character, they don't quite look good enough.

"There's 18 games left. From that they need around 30 points. Not impossible, but it seems too big an ask."

Vale are now nine points adrift of safety going into Tuesday night's home clash with mid-table Yeovil Town.

But McCarthy, who made over 100 appearances in two spells in Burslem and now works as a match summariser for BBC Radio Stoke, refuses to blame manager Lee Sinnott for Vale's predicament.

"He's done everything that he possibly could," said McCarthy. "The only option he had was to shuffle the pack and get new players in.

"I agree with a lot that Lee Sinnott has done and should the worst happen he deserves a chance to work with the team next season.

"Saturday's defeat was a bitter blow for them. They are not down yet but they've got an awful lot to do."