John Gregory wants a rapid return to management with Port Vale.

The former Albion midfielder is among 50 applicants for the post following the sacking of Martin Foyle at the end of last month.

Gregory lost his job at Championship strugglers Queens Park Rangers just 12 days ago.

Other applicants include Peter Shilton, Brian Little and ex-Huddersfield chief Peter Jackson, but former Vale striker Ronnie Jepson has ruled himself out of the running after resigning from Gillingham a month ago.

Caretaker Dean Glover appears to have blown his chances of landing the role on a permanent basis.

He started with a 2-1 home defeat by Southend and, although Vale recovered to beat Cheltenham 3-0 at home, last Saturday's 2-1 setback at Northampton has left them third-bottom in League One, above Bournemouth and Millwall only on goal difference.

On Tuesday a furious Glover labelled his players a pub side after watching them blow a two-goal lead on their way to a penalty shoot-out defeat at Morecambe in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Glover was scathing about his team's performance over the 90 minutes and also blasted his senior players for not volunteering to take a penalty.

Instead, the manager's son, 17-year-old debutant striker Danny Glover, saw his decisive spot kick saved to give Morecambe a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win after the match was deadlocked at 2-2 after 90 minutes.

Glover said: "I said to the lads I wanted five who had the confidence to take a penalty.

"But some of the older personnel backed away from it and I had to put my own lad in the firing line to take a penalty.

"Unfortunately, there was pressure there because, with Shane Tudor missing one, Danny realised he had to score to keep us in it.

"It didn't happen, but no doubt he will step up again one day and take another penalty.

"He is 17 years of age so he is going to be upset. It just disappoints me that I have senior pros there that walked away from it."

Vale raced into a 2-0 lead in half an hour through Justin Miller's early header and a free-kick by Luke Rodgers but they were pegged back by two goals for Morecambe in the space of 13 minutes at the start of the second half.

Glover said: "We told them what we feel and what we think of them, because it isn't good enough for Port Vale Football Club.

"I am hoping they roll their sleeves up and take a bit of pride in what they are doing because, at the moment, I would class them as a pub side."

Vale are expected to welcome back midfielders Danny Whitaker and Paul Harsley. They both missed the Morecambe fiasco through injury.

Glover is also trying to bolster his squad with a left-sided loan signing.

Albion's strikers will not have to face Vale hatchet man Jason Talbot when they go to the Potteries on Saturday The defender completes a three-match ban tomorrow after being sent-off five times in 38 games, an unwanted club record.