Town defender Nathan Clarke is looking to focus on this weekend's FA Cup game against Port Vale following the midweek departure of manager Stan Ternent.

The 24-year old centre-back admitted to htafc.com that it was disappointing to see the manager leave the Club in midweek, but that he is excited to work with Caretaker boss Gerry Murphy once again.

"It's disappointing, because not only are we not doing well in the table for ourselves but now somebody has lost their job," Nathan said of Ternent's departure.

"Stan was good to me; he brought a lot of players into the Club, but I managed to cement a first team place. There will be a few lads who are disappointed to see him leave. However, it now represents a good chance for the lads who were out of their squad to get back in the frame.

"We have two big games coming up and we don't know how long it will be until the new manager will come in, but for now Gerry is in charge and he always seems to get the best out of the lads. I have a good feeling that we will be alright."

Clarkey did admit that thoughts of who the next manager could be do linger on the minds of the players.

"You go from being on a low when you hear the news to a bit of a buzz, wondering who the new boss will be," he continued. "Everybody knows that it's time to impress, as the new manager could be sat up in the trees at Storthes Hall watching us! You just have to be on your mettle, grinding out performances."

For now Clarke is focussing solely on Saturday's game against the Valiants.

"Cup weekends always throw up some funny results. We'll get the reports through about how they will set up and their set-pieces today, but we shouldn't worry about them too much - it's about us and we should be taking the game to them, especially as we are at home. It would be exciting to have our name in the draw for round two, for both the players and the fans.

"It would be great to go on a bit of a run - we're due one. It's just a case of putting a bit of form together. Everybody wishes Stan well, but it's time for us to kick on now under a new manager.

"We're not too far from the Play-Offs and if we can put a run together, it should be very interesting. We need everyone to 'keep the faith'."

Get your ticket for this weekend's FA Cup game against Port Vale by calling the Galpharm Ticket Office on 0870 44 44 552!