Bryan Hughes admits his contract talks are still ongoing – but are on a temporary hold while the manager situation is sorted out.

Hughes, League Two’s Player of the Month for December, says he wants a contract with the Reds – after signing on non-contract terms late last year – and the only delay is while the board are tied up with the new manager hunt.

"We are still negotiating at the moment," said the 35-year-old. "There is a lot going on with the new manager and suchlike so I haven’t pushed things.

"I have said all along I want to stay here. I am at the stage of my career where I don’t want to be chopping and changing.

"I came into the Accrington team just before Christmas and we have gone from strength to strength and I am enjoying it.

"I have settled in easily – especially with all the scousers as I am a scouser – and it’s easy to get caught up in all the banter.

"I think it helped that I came here and trained for a while before I played but now I am enjoying a run in the team.

"Accrington is an enjoyable club to be at. I look forward every morning to coming to work and there aren’t a lot of people who can say that!"

Former Birmingham and Hull midfielder Hughes has been part of the caretaker management trio with Leam Richardson and Phil Hackney who have taken over after John Coleman and Jimmy Bell’s departure to Rochdale. "I am concentrating more on the playing side but I am here for advice and contacts," said Hughes.

"Obviously I have played all around the country so you pick up contacts and I am only glad to help.

"It is a learning curve for me, Leam and Phil but it is for all of us at the club and hopefully the younger players can benefit from my experience and knowledge too."

Hughes admits he wants to take the step up, once he gives up playing, into coaching and managerial roles.

"I would like to do it in the future," he added. "I am still concentrating on the playing side at the moment and feel I still have something to offer there.

"But I would like to become a coach or a manager. I am going to do my fast-track coaching badges in the summer and then once I have qualifications I will be ready to step up to any of those roles in the future."

Hughes has actually only been part of one league defeat in his time at the Crown Ground – the clash with Barnet – as the Reds have chalked up one loss in 13 league encounters to take them to the fringe of the play-offs.

"We have a strong squad here. The Barnet game was disappointing but the pitch didn’t suit us and, fair play to them, they were worthy winners on the day.

"But we have got quite a settled team here, the players know each other and we all know or individual jobs and we have been playing to our highest levels.

"Obviously John and Jimmy were a big part of this and I was gutted when they left as they gave me my opportunity to come here.

"But they have moved onto a higher league and have left a good team.

"We have the quality here and, at the moment we are consistent. We have just got to keep up the momentum and consistency and there is no reason why we can’t get promotion this season."

He admits it is an unsettling period at the moment with the management whispers and the fact that the games now come thick and fast.

"With three games in the next week it is a massive time for the club and also with maybe a new manager coming in.

"It’s a big time and, in the next three games, the top eight or nine should really begin to take shape. It will be an interesting week."