Stanley assistant manager Jimmy Bell says Sean Hessey and Andy Parkinson are impressing enough to be considered for Stanley contracts.

Former Tranmere winger Parkinson, 31, has been training with the Reds in pre-season alongside ex-Macclesfield defender Hessey (pictured) and the pair have caught Bell’s eye.

"Andy is in really good shape and has certainly impressed in pre-season," said Bell. "He also used to play for Sheffield United and Notts County and was at Cambridge last season so he is experienced, has kept himself fit and has done well.

"And Sean is another who we would like to agree terms with. He can play anywhere along the back and he is certainly someone we are interested in.

"We also have two lads who played alongside Jimmy Ryan in Liverpool’s youth cup winning side - Michael Burns and Ray Putterill - and they have also done well.

"We obviously need to sign some players up once the transfer embargo is lifted which should be soon. We have around 14 players on trial and we need to have a look at them in games and make some decisions quickly as it is only fair to the players."

Stanley were having a trial game today after their first friendly at Burscough tomorrow was called off due to the Victoria Park pitch not being ready. Their next pre-season matches are at Clitheroe on Tuesday and Heswall on Thursday (Both 7pm kick off)

Bell confirmed the Reds are in talks with an experienced striker and defender from League Two, who are on free transfers, but nothing as yet is sorted. He also said Stanley had hoped to sign midfielder Lewis Chalmers but the ex-Aldershot man has since signed for Macclesfield.

However, goalkeeper Alex Cisak has passed his medical at the Crown Ground and the assistant said of the former Leicester stopper: "He is a big lad but he has done all the running in pre-season and stuck at it and never given up. He has a fantastic attitude and, with the bits and bobs we have seen, he should do well for us."

There are a number of strikers on trial but Bell said they have talked to the members of their current squad - like Chris Turner, Sean McConville, Andy Procter, Jimmy Ryan and Luke Joyce - and said they are expected to be more of a goalscoring threat this season.

"Chris and Sean have now got to step up to the plate. We have lost a lot of goals with losing Michael Symes, Bobby Grant and Billy Kee and we need someone to fill the gap.

"The rest of the players didn’t score enough last season so we are now looking at them to chip in with more goals.

"It means it is a big chance, especially for Chris and Sean, to make an impact like Bobby (Grant) did and help Stanley and maybe move on.

"Bobby has shown it can be done - he has gone onto bigger things with Scunthorpe but he came back last pre-season really fit and hit the ground running.

"They need to get their heads down and work hard if they want to do this."

Stanley were battling to get their pitch ready - after £70,000 worth of work was done on it during the summer - but confirmed the friendly with Championship side Burnley on Tuesday 27 July should happen.

"That one has been in the lap of the gods due to the hose pipe ban but hopefully it will get the go-ahead as it is a big money boost to the club," said Bell. "But we do want the pitch to be perfect for our big kick off against Aldershot."

  • STANLEY youngster Jonathan Evans has been selected for the Welsh Under 17s squad to compete in a Four Nations tournament in Sweden. Bell said: "Phil Hackney said Jonathan has done well and the Welsh scouts have obviously been impressed. He is a second year scholar now so we will see a lot more of him in our reserve team this season."