KIERAN Charnock came so close to signing for Stanley in the summer - but now he will try to stop them moving up the League Two table when Torquay visit tomorrow.

The defender spent most of last season at the Crown Ground on loan from Peterborough and Reds boss John Coleman wanted to snap him up permanently at the end of last season - and has enquired about his services since.

But finances dictated the 25-year-old joined newly promoted Gulls - although he admits he still has a soft spot for Stanley.

"If I had been out of contract I would have signed for Accrington in the summer," said Manchester-born Charnock, with Torquay in 20th place, five points behind the 16th placed Reds. "But there was uncertainty at Accrington and Peterborough wanted money for me as I was still under contract.

"A couple of clubs came in for me on loan deals, including Accrington I think, but Torquay paid money, Peterborough wanted it and so I came to Torquay.

"I have enjoyed it here and, as I am sure every club will say, we should have more points but have drawn a lot of games this season and been unable to turn them into wins.

"I have had a couple of injuries and been suspended for three games after a sending off but I hope I can win my place back tomorrow.

"It is a game I have looked forward to. I obviously still know a lot of players and it will be weird marking Bobby Grant, if he plays, and I have come up against Michael Symes a number of times with different clubs.

"I am sure our manager Paul Buckle will ask me what I know about Accrington but there are some new faces from last season.

"I also know what to expect with the changing rooms and the ground while a few of my team-mates won’t be used to it but Accrington have always used that well to their advantage.

"John (Coleman) and Jimmy (Bell) always treated me well so it will be good to see them again too."

¿While Coleman won’t be wanting his former player to do well tomorrow, he is happy to see him.

"I know Paul Buckle and I will put my friendship with him and Kieran to one side ," said the Reds boss. "It’s nice to see players who have played for you do well but we will be hoping he won’t do that well tomorrow!"

Coleman does have decisions to make with selection with striker Bobby Grant back after a one-game suspension - he missed Stanley’s 2-0 win at Burton on Tuesday with Billy Kee scoring the first. It moved the Reds within six points of the play-offs, with a game in hand.

John Miles also sits out the second game of his suspension after being shown a straight red card in the last gasp 2-2 FA Cup draw with Barnet last Saturday - with the second round replay on Tuesday at Underhill to see who will face Gillingham in round three.

And keeper Ian Dunbavin will have a scan on his thigh although Coleman did snap up Liverpool stopper Dean Bouzanis, an Australian, who has signed on loan until January, last Thursday. Defender Johnny Flynn has also signed on loan for a month from¿Blackburn but has yet to play for the Reds.

Coleman said: "There are some decisions but that’s part of my job. There is Billy Kee, Gary King, Peter Murphy and John Mullin all desperate to play.

"And Johnny Flynn hasn’t come here to warm the bench. I have got players who are raring to go.

"We needed that win against Burton though as we hadn’t won in the league in three games and, with it being a full programme on Tuesday, we couldn’t afford to lose ground on teams around us.

"Once you start sliding down the table, it’s like being on a water slide and you can’t stop yourself going down and it‘s important to stop as soon as you can and start going the other way. We have to try and get as many points as possible to give ourselves a fighting chance going into the second half of the season.

"We want to be looking up the table rather than staving off relegation."

l THE League Two home match against Macclesfield which was postponed on Tuesday 24 November will take place on Tuesday 19 January 2010, kick off 7:45 pm.

l BOOK now for travel to Leeds United in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Northern semi-finals on Tuesday December 15, kick off 7.45pm. There is a ticket and travel deal of adult £15; Concessions/children £10. Contact the club on 0871 434 7968 for more details.