Heath (l) was assistant to Adams in their time at Coventry City

New Port Vale manager Micky Adams has been backed to be a success by his former colleague Adrian Heath.

Heath was assistant to Adams at Coventry City between 2005 and 2007.

He told BBC Radio Stoke: "He's proven that he can get teams out of that division. He's very demanding of his players and of himself.

"I worked with him for a couple of years. The players will like working for him and the supporters will like the type of team he puts on the field."

Heath had previously been the number two at Coventry under Peter Reid, and remained in the role when Adams took over at the Sky Blues in January 2005.

The former Stoke City, Everton and Aston Villa player thinks Adams needs time to turn things around at Vale.

"It's just been change after change at Port Vale and if they stick with Micky I think he'll get them out of the division," added 48-year-old Heath.

"It needs a bit of stability. If you keep changing your manager every 12 months, you're not going to have an influence over the club.

"If he gets the time he needs, he'll be a very good choice for Port Vale."

Adams was appointed as the new manager of Vale on Friday, having spent four months out of football following his departure from Brighton by mutual consent in February.

Heath is now the manager of United States franchise Austin Aztex, who have a close affiliation with Premier League side Stoke City.

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