Former West Bromwich Albion striker Geoff Horsfield feels they'll miss Michael Appleton.

The Baggies coach is set to take charge of Portsmouth.

Horsfield is now Port Vale first-team coach, with his and Appleton's paths frequently crossing during reserve-team games.

"Look at the managers Appy has played or worked with - Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Gary Megson, Bryan Robson, Tony Mowbray and now Roy Hodgson," said Horsfield.

"Good luck to him - I think he'll do fantastically well if he gets the job.

"Personally I can't blame him. Opportunities like this don't come up often and the fact that Roy wants to keep him tells you everything you need to know about him.

"Appy owes a lot to West Brom. They gave him a chance and he's now on the verge of getting a great move but equally I'm sure they appreciate that he has ambitions of his own and wants to be his own man."