ACCRINGTON Stanley new boy Andy Todd admits it is a massive opportunity for him at Accrington Stanley - and he aims to make the most of it.

The 26-year-old winger has signed from Burton Albion until the end of the season and has started both Stanley's FA Trophy games against his former club Worksop in the last week.

While they have not provided the best of experiences so far, he is hoping he and the rest of the team can turn on the style for the last 16 league games and steer Accrington into the Football League.

"It is a great chance for me and I don't want to waste it," said the Nottingham-based player.

"I was shocked when they came in for me as I hadn't been playing regularly for Burton and had had interest off teams below Burton in the Conference and from the Conference North, where I have plied most of my trade.

"So to get the chance to come to the club who are currently the best in the league was a bit of a shock.

"But I am up for the challenge and I have a lot to prove to myself this season.

"It is nice for me to know, though, that I am highly thought of by the management team here as they have chased me for a while, and I want to repay that faith."

Coleman wanted the former Nottingham Forest trainee and Hucknall player in the summer but he chose Burton for geographical purposes.

"I spoke to the manager in the summer and there were two problems. One was my job in the fitness industry and I needed to be loyal to that and then there was the distance and the travelling and it was difficult. Then Burton offered me a deal and it was closer to home and I took it.

"I played the first few games, then, although we were playing well, we had a bad run of results and slipped down the league.

"The team was changed around and, around November and December, we started picking up results again and then of course we went on the good FA Cup run which was ended by Manchester United.

"But it was hard for me as I would be playing sometimes and not others and I had to weigh up the situation about whether to move or not.

"I wanted to be playing more regularly and when Accrington came in for me, it was a great opportunity.

"It would be fantastic for the club to get promoted and I want to help them do this while they are helping me.

"I want to do justice for myself, the manager, the club and the supporters. Hopefully I can help to make everyone happy and it is too good an opportunity for me to waste."

And Todd hopes he can chip in with a couple of goals to help Accrington on their way to the Football League.

"I am renowned as an attacking player who likes to score and make goals and I think that is why the manager enquired about me.

"Hopefully, I can do this and I am the final piece of the jigsaw for the Accrington manager.

"I want to play games, play my part and hopefully I can help Accrington strive on towards winning the Conference and playing League football next season."

But he, like the rest of the team, refuses to get carried away with Stanley's 10 point lead at the top of the table as he is aware there is a lot of hard work to do. "I was at Burton when they beat Grays and you know anyone, on their day, can beat anyone in this league.

"Teams in the bottom three can beat teams in the top two.

"Accrington may be clear but they aren't running away with the league. I don't think anyone cam because it is so competitive."