FORMER Newport County AFC manager Justin Edinburgh could be set for a quick return to the dugout and a return to League Two with struggling Port Vale.

Edinburgh led County to promotion to the Football League during the most successful spell of his managerial career between 2011 and 2015.

He has since been sacked by League One teams Gillingham (in January this year) and Northampton Town (on August 31).

But following Michael Brown’s dismissal as Vale manager at the weekend the bookies have Edinburgh amongst the favourites to replace him.

Brown was given the chance to carry on at Port Vale this summer despite the club’s relegation to the fourth tier under his caretaker charge last season, but a run of poor results left his side bottom of the Football League and the club parted company with the 40-year-old on Saturday.

Assistant managers David Kelly and Chris Morgan have been placed in charge while the search for a new boss takes place, but with Edinburgh unemployed a quick appointment could well be possible.

Both Kelly and Morgan are being linked with the post, as well as former Valiants boss Micky Adams.

Owen Coyle, Neil Redfearn and Richard Money are all in contention according to the bookies.

South Wales Argus:

And former Vale and Exiles midfielder Ryan Burge (above) has also declared his interest.

Burge is still only 28 but he told Gloucestershire Live that he was the man to guide his old club to promotion after being voted player of the season as Vale sealed a third-place finish in League Two in the 2012-2013 campaign.

“I believe I could guide the club back to the Championship,” Burge said.

“People may question my managerial experience but I would say this; I had barely any League Two experience as player before signing for the club, but still produced that season helping the club get promotion proving that experience isn't everything.

“I said when I first signed for the club I would get promotion with them and we did it.

"Now I'm saying give me the job as a manger and I'll do the same again.

"I have completed my UEFA coaching license and I have my own way of playing which isn't your typical League Two style, I am very strong minded on that.

"I like players that can look after the ball and some managers have found that hard to deal with, but I believe they are stuck in dinosaur era and that's why I have had consistent success every time I step on to the pitch, there's no reason I couldn't do the same as a manger.

"If I had the job you would see attractive football at Vale Park, but most importantly a promotion at the end of the season."