PORT Vale's Neil Brisco is expected to complete a move to Rochdale in the next few days.

The out-of-contract midfielder held talks with Steve Parkin last week and is tying up details over a two-year deal at Spotland.

Brisco's agent Phil Sproson said: "We are getting close to agreeing personal terms. Hopefully the deal will be done by early next week."

Brisco has attracted interest from Bristol Rovers and Swansea, but wants to stay in the North West. His family are from the region and Brisco's wife is a native of Manchester.

"Neil has been offered a one-year deal at Port Vale, but he doesn't see that as long enough," said Sproson. "There was also a three-year offer from Bristol Rovers, but location is important to Neil."

Sproson, a former Vale legend himself, knows Parkin from his days on opposite sides of the Potteries footballing divide and had dealings with Dale when Paul Connor, another of his clients, moved to Swansea in March.

"I've known Steve for a long time and when we met him last week he was, as always, very impressive," said Sproson. "There has been phone contact since then and there doesn't seem to be any problems. We're really just waiting for the chairman (David Kilpatrick) to return from abroad and say "yes"."

Brisco could team up with Gary Jones in a solid midfield pairing likely to relish the battle. The tall 26-year-old is regarded as a strong character at Vale Park and can put his foot in when the going gets tough.

Said Sproson: "He's played for two years in Division One and two in the Second Division, and he's never shirked a battle."

"He's not worried about dropping down to the Third Division because, after hearing the players Steve Parkin wants, he thinks Rochdale could be in the top six next season."

• NEW Zealand All Whites beat the Solomon Islands 3-0 on Monday, with Dale winger Leo Bertos used as a late substitute.

His chances of appearing at the 2006 tournament in Germany, however, took a savage blow on Wednesday when his side were beaten 4-2 by South West Pacific islands minnows Vanuatu 4-2.

• MATT Doughty has joined former Dale team-mate Lee McEvilly at Accrington Stanley.

The 22-year-old, who arrived at Spotland from Chester City in 2001, has signed a two-year contract at the Interlink Express Stadium as John Coleman's side push for promotion to the Football League next season.

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