ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman is urging the Reds' fans to raise the roof against big-spending Peterborough tomorrow.

The long-awaited Clayton End cover should finally be up and Coleman wants the fans to get underneath it and make plenty of noise.

And he could have two new defenders in his camp for them to cheer as he was hoping to sign two league centre halves before today's midnight transfer deadline.

"I am hoping to sign two experienced centre halves who have played in the league - one on a permanent deal and one will be loan, initially at least," said Coleman.

"But I am looking forward to tomorrow.

"Now the roof is sorted out it should make for a really good atmosphere.

"Hopefully it will make it noisy and it will attract more people to come in the future as we need more fans to come to help us move onwards and upwards.

"I am looking forward to seeing what the atmosphere is like."

And, after two defeats in their opening three league games, the Reds chief is glad they are up against Posh tomorrow, the pre-season favourites for promotion.

They have bought several of Coleman's former targets in striker Aaron McLean, winger George Boyd and defender Keiran Charnock and are heavily tipped to go up.

But they have had a stuttering start with manager Darren Ferguson hoping to turn it around quickly after chairman Darragh MacAnthony pumped £5m into the London Road club.

"I am glad we are playing a team who have become something of a big name and who have spent money and have had exposure as we usually turn in good performances against those sort of teams," said Coleman.

"They have got some good players in Aaron Mclean and George Boyd and they have both come up against us in the past - but they have come up against our good players too.

"I think if we can get our flair players on the ball then we can beat anyone on our day."

Ferguson is probably feeling the pressure after their indifferent start.

"I think any pressure managers put themselves under tend to come from themselves as you want to do well and you set your own high standards," said Coleman.

"We are desperate for a win at the moment and for goals and hopefully it will come tomorrow," said Coleman with his team scoring just once in four games.

"I think once we get a couple of goals it will help the team's confidence.

"We have attacking options and I watched the reserves lose 3-2 at Preston on Tuesday and the senior players who played gave me something to think about."

Leighton McGivern scored twice but he will sit out the second of a three game suspension after being sent off for the second string last week.

Strikers Roscoe Dsane and North End loanee Chris McGrail along with attacking midfielder David Brown all played the full 90 minutes.

Captain Peter Cavanagh is rated 50/50 for the Posh clash after sitting out last Saturday's 2-0 loss at Lincoln with a calf strain picked up in training.

"He could be back which is good news as last week we thought it might be a couple of weeks," said Coleman.

Meanwhile it may be too soon for midfielder Paul Carden. The 28-year-old was the Reds' first summer signing but picked up a calf injury in pre-season.

"He is back in full time training and he may play a part in the Oldham game," said the boss.

Rommy Boco's international duty with Benin starts after the Johnstone Paints Trophy first round clash against the Latics, at home on Tuesday, which Coleman knows is a big match.

This is especially as League One side Oldham have been the centre of attention after signing striker Lee Hughes on his release from prison for causing death by dangerous driving.

"He is a good football player and everyone will have their own opinions on it but, at the end of the day, if he has been released from prison he has got to get on with his life which is football," said the Reds chief.

Hughes still carries over a red card he got from playing for his prison team and is suspended for a week from Monday so he can't feature against the Reds.

Stanley had a good run in this competition last season seeing off higher league sides Carlisle and Blackpool, both on penalties, and then were defeated by eventual winners Doncaster.

"We do seem to like this competition and it has got the incentive that we can play at Wembley - and stand a realistic chance," said Coleman.

"It is also a chance for us to take a break from the league and we are playing a team from a higher division so we can step on the gas and hopefully take some confidence from the game."

Striker Paul Mullin is also hoping the Reds can see off John Sheridan's side and enjoy the lower league competition.

"We would have liked a run in the Carling Cup but it wasn't to be.

"The Trophy is a nice distraction from the league and it is a realistic aim for us so we will give it our best shot because we want to proceed."

STANLEY reserves don't play again until September 12 when they are at home to Rochdale. There will be a fans forum with the manager after that reserve game at 9pm in the Sports bar.