McCarthy thinks losing Sodje and Constantine has hit Vale hard

Former winger McCarthy, who now works as a summariser for BBC Radio Stoke, said: "The striker problem has been an issue all season.

"The defence is fairly steady but the Vale lack that bit of quality up front.

"Players like Leon Constantine and Akpo Sodje had to be sold for financial reasons and they've not been replaced."

Too many times they have given leads away, that is a sign of a team that will get relegated Former Port Vale star Jon McCarthy

Vale are still rooted to the bottom of the league after Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Bristol Rovers and McCarthy has conceded that it is looking less and less likely that they will avoid the drop.

"Vale were in a position to win the game but threw it away in a 10-minute spell. It's hard to put your finger on how it all went wrong.

"They looked neat and tidy when passing the ball but lacked that cutting edge up front.

"Even when the Vale get into what seems like a comfortable position you wonder if they can hang on.

"Too many times this season they have given leads away and that is a sign of a team that will get relegated I'm afraid."