Downing happy to be back coaching

Downing left Cheltenham Town by mutual consent in September

Port Vale's new assistant manager Keith Downing has said he is glad to be back in football.

Downing, who has been out of work since September, will assist Vale boss Dean Glover until the end of the season.

The 43-year-old told BBC Radio Stoke: "When you've been out for five months like I have, you're keen to get back on the grass and work with some players.

"The players have responded positively in training, but the proof of that needs to come in the form of results."

Downing left his position as Cheltenham Town manager in September, having kept the club in League One on the final day of the season.

The former Notts County, Wolves and Stoke City midfielder has not ruled out a return to management.

He added: "It was a massive learning year for me, and last May was probably my greatest achievement.

"They have been punching above their weight in League One and to keep a club of that stature in the division was great.

"I'm not pre-empting anything. My intention is to come here and help Dean out and that's what I want to do.

"In the future, maybe, but at the moment it's just nice to be back enjoying the training and working with the players."

Downing replaces Ian Brightwell as Glover's assistant. The former Vale player and Macclesfield manager had been helping Glover coach the first team since his appointment in October.