STANLEY were handed a dream start to life back in the Football League when they were paired with former European Champions Nottingham Forest in the first round of the Carling Cup.

"It's great for us. It's a high profile game and that's what we worked hard for, to get games like this," said Reds boss John Coleman.

A home tie against the League One side should guarantee a sell out at the Fraser Eagle Stadium as Accrington look to pull off a shock in only their second-ever League Cup tie .

The visit of Forest further whets the appetite ahead of Stanley's long-awaited League return and for Reds winger Andy Todd it was the perfect draw.

Nottingham-bornTodd, who signed a 12-month deal at Stanley after helping them clinch the Conference title, started his career at the City Ground.

He said: "It's fantastic. They were always the team I followed as a youngster and the first club I was involved at. I did my apprenticeship and then signed my first professional contract there.

"It's a club that has always been close to my heart and hopefully I will be involved in the game against them."

Forest were a Premiership side when Todd, 27, was handed a professional deal by Frank Clark. The former champions have since suffered a fall from grace but remain one of the League's potential big hitters.

Todd added: "The team and the club has changed but they are still Nottingham Forest and we will treat them with the same respect.

"They are still one of the biggest names we could have been drawn against and it will be an enjoyable experience for us and the fans.

"And in a cup competition you never know what might happen. If we could get a giant-killing it could bring a lot of revenue into the club and help us get off to a good start, which is so important."

The one-off tie will be played at Stanley in the week commencing August, 21.

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