Former Carlisle United favourite Rory Delap today has been placed in caretaker charge at Stoke, alongside Kevin Russell and Andy Quy, as the Potters parted company with manager Nathan Jones after nine months in charge.

Welshman Jones, 46, was brought in from Luton Town in January to replace sacked Gary Rowett.

But Stoke have won six times in 38 games under Jones and, despite back-to-back wins in mid-October, Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Rowett's Millwall left Stoke four points adrift of safety in the Championship.

The Potters, who face leaders West Bromwich Albion on Monday, are 23rd in the table.

In a club statement announcing the news, Jones said: "I would like to thank John and Peter Coates, firstly for the opportunity to manage this football club and then for the continued support and patience throughout my time here.

"I would also like to thank the supporters for their fantastic support. Finally, I wish the club the very best for the future."

Cumbrian Delap, originally of Great Corby, began his career as a teenager at Carlisle and went on to make nearly 100 appearances before joining Derby County in 1998.

In total, the 43-year-old made more than 500 appearances and won 11 Ireland caps during his career before he retired.

He had been first-team coach to Jones at Stoke.