Gillingham skipper Doug Loft has backed Micky Adams to make a swift return to management.

Loft played under Adams at both Brighton and Port Vale.

Adams, who made 92 appearances for the Gills between 1979 and 1983, led Port Vale to promotion in 2013 as manager before guiding them to 9th place in League 1 last season.

He recently ended his time at Vale after a poor run of form.

Speaking in this week’s Shouting Men column, Loft hopes to see Adams back in management soon.

“He did a remarkable job there,” said Loft, who was made captain at Vale Park by Adams.

“He obviously paid the price for results this year but they were against some good teams, two of the top teams in League 1 and Cardiff.

“I played under him for five years at Vale and a year before that at Brighton and he has had a big influence on my career.”

Adams has been linked to the vacant Leyton Orient job.

Loft declined a new deal at Port Vale in the summer in favour of joining the Gills.

He said: “Everyone’s time comes to an end at some point and I think he probably felt it was time to move on with a fresh challenge, like I did last year. It was the right time for me to leave.

“I could have sat there on a long deal but I wanted a new challenge, a fresh start and I came here and I am enjoying it.

“It was probably time to move on to bigger and better things. He is a manager with a good record so I don’t see why he wouldn’t.”

Read more from Doug Loft in Friday’s Medway Messenger newspaper.