Adams earned his first promotion as a manager with Fulham in 1997

Port Vale boss Micky Adams admits that he and his backroom staff are keenly awaiting their return to former club Fulham in the Carling Cup.

Adams began his managerial career at Craven Cottage in 1996 as player-boss.

His assistant manager Geoff Horsfield also enjoyed his best spell there, while head of youth Mark Grew had a month on loan at Fulham in 1985.

"It's a great draw. I was lucky enough to have a promotion with them," Adams told BBC Radio Stoke.

Fulham won promotion from the old Third Division in 1997 after Adams' only full season in charge.

But he may still feel that he has something to prove against a club who let him go so soon after Mohamed Al Fayed's takeover later that year, the new regime opting instead for Ray Wilkins.

"Obviously when Mr Fayed came in things altered slightly but it's a fantastic draw for the management team," added Adams.

"Geoff was a player there and had a lot of success and, from my point of view, it was where I started my managerial career."

Vale meet last season's Europa League finalists in the second round at the Cottage on 24 August (1945 BST).

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