JIMMY Ryan is hoping to return for the Reds tonight - and get on the goalscoring trail.

Stanley face Crewe in the League for the first time since 1962 when their match at Gresty Road was the final game before the Reds were wound up.

John Coleman’s side are suffering a similar financial crisis at the moment with a need to pay off a £308,000 tax bill by the end of October or face a similar predicament.

And so they have switched their game against the Railwayman to tonight after the success of their Friday night victory over Darlington two weeks ago when more than 3000 turned up,

And that suits Ryan just fine as he returns after sufferng a gash to the front of his leg and has missed the last three games. "When I was watching the Darlington game, the atmosphere was really good, the pace of the game tends to be quicker at night and it was entertaining," said the midfielder.

"There were also more fans and we have to hope that can be repeated tonight. We know, as players, despite what is going on in the background, that we need to play well and win games to make sure the fans want to come and watch us and hopefully we can do that."

Ryan was the top scorer last season with 10 goals but is still looking for the first goal of the new campaign, having missed a penalty against Northampton.

"I would have liked to have scored a goal or two by now but it’s a long season and I am sure a few will come. I got 10 last season so I want to build on that and show it was no fluke. I have always scored goals when I have played so I am confident. With Paul Mullin gone, we do need to spread them around and we are doing that with Granty (Bobby Grant) getting a few this season. We want to make sure we are looking up the table and not down it as it did reach panic stations a bit last season when we were close to the relegation spots.

"The play-offs are not out of reach and we have to make sure we get a few wins and keep within touching distance of them."

Ryan hopes he has fully recovered from that gashed leg he suffered at Oldham in the Johnstones Paint Trophy.

"It’s nice to be back, I started training on Monday and I hope to be at least on the bench," he said. "I am relieved to only miss three matches as, at the time, I thought it could be eight months.

"I just thought it was a knock at first and then I saw the blood. I thought I could see the bone sticking out but it was my shin pad. The lads thought the same as they kept telling me not to look. I was panicking as I feared I was in shock and that’s why I couldn’t feel anything but I feel lucky it wasn’t too bad.

"It’s been hard sitting it out but the lads have got two wins in my absence and have done well. I know the Hereford defeat on Saturday wasn’t the best of games but everyone has been playing well and I know I am not guaranteed a place in the side."