ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman says he is going to make his decisions on the 47 trialists currently at the club over the next week.

Stanley has been inundated with players wanting to join the Reds' League Two campaign with Coleman especially eyeing a striker, midfielder and goalkeeper to add to his squad.

In the two friendlies so far, there has been a mixture of trialists and regulars but Coleman hopes, by the time the team takes a break to Scotland at the end of July, that his squad is more or less settled.

"We will now start chipping away at them," said the Reds boss. "Within the next seven or eight days there will only be first teamers and anyone else who is to be taken on."

The trialists may get another chance to impress tomorrow when the Reds make the trip to North West Counties side Bootle to open their new stadium (ko 3pm) after many played against UniBond side Alsager on Wednesday night.

"The Alsager game was difficult because the pitch was hard to play on but we showed a good appetite for the game and I was pleased with one or two of the trialists who showed some good touches," said the boss.

Meanwhile Coleman has had some good news as striker Paul Mullin is recovering from his hernia operation and should be back by the end of July.

"I am hoping he will start the season," said the Reds chief, with Mullin being pencilled in for the two friendlies in Scotland against East Fife on Saturday 29 July and Partick Thistle on Monday 31 July.

The Reds chief, though, is eagerly anticipating his side's clash with Premiership big boys Blackburn Rovers next Wednesday.

"It's all-ticket so there should be a good turn-out and it should be a good atmosphere," he said.

"I do not think any of our players fear anyone and I don't expect it to be any different on Wednesday.

"It should be a good game with all our preparations geared up for August 5 and the kick off against Chester."

FORMER Stanley player Mike Marsh has linked up with Paul Cook at Conference side Southport. Ex-Red John Durnin is also part of the new look management team at Haig Avenue.

THE bad luck continued for former Red Lee McEvilly after the striker broke the same bone in his foot that snapped twice during a four-month period last season. The Wrexham player, who re-signed for them last month after a move to Bradford fell through because of medical concerns, looks likely to face surgery.

ANOTHER ex-Stanley player, Anthony Barry, made his comeback after he broke his leg shortly after making a move to Yeovil in January. He played 30 minutes of their 5-0 friendly win over Bodmin this week.

STEVE Jagielka has joined Conference North side Droyslden,