JOHN Coleman has stepped up his centre half hunt and is hoping that at least one will be joining Accrington Stanley for Saturday's home clash against Woking.

The boss was hoping to have snapped up an experienced defender on loan from a Coca Cola League Two club by the end of Thursday.

And he still has his eye on a centre half from a Coca Cola League One side who he does hope will become a permanent addition at the Interlink.

"I am still in talks with the manager of one and the agent of the other but I hope to have one wrapped up by tomorrow," said the Reds chief. "I still think it is an area we need to strengthen."

That is despite the Reds charging up to third in the Nationwide Conference table with four wins out of five and keeping two clean sheets in their last two games - they have to go back to January 20th for their last league blank.

"It has been a good start and we are confident but now we can only look to the future," said the boss, whose side beat Crawley 4-0 on Saturday and York 1-0 on Tuesday. "What we have done so far is in the bank and we have got to move on. No one is getting carried away.

"We have decent home form so I am hoping a good crowd will come - especially with it being an international weekend - and help us grab another win."

The Reds had two battling draws with Woking last season who haven't had the best of starts

"We won't underestimate anybody in this league. Their manager Glenn Cockerill knows the game and is passionate about it. They gave us two good games last season and we know we can't take our foot off the gas.

"The table does look good but it is very early days yet. We should know, after the next five or six games, who are the strong sides that are going to be up and we have to make sure we are one of them."

Defender Steve Halford should have shaken off a calf strain which made him miss the 1-0 loss at York on Tuesday night while Peter Cavanagh is still struggling with a knock he took to his foot.

"I think he should be okay though," confirmed Coleman.

And boss Coleman has been impressed with his side's discipline so far this season.

After being fined by the Football Association for their poor disciplinary record in the last campaign, they have picked up four bookings this season - none in the last three games.

"I am expecting a card from the FA," said Coleman. "The discipline is still top."

And captain Peter Cavanagh, who was sent off three times last season, said: "I think we are one of the cleanest back fours in the league at the moment."

Meanwhile, Coleman is delighted with the LDV Vans Trophy draw at Coca Cola side Bradford which will take place week commencing September 27.

"It is a great draw for the lads, a nice stadium, hopefully there will be a decent crowd there and the lads can test themselves again against a league side."

Stanley will pick up £2000 even if they lose to Bradford.

  • GRAVESEND'S Andy Ford won the Conference Manager of the Month for August.

His team of part-timers had three wins and two draws last month. "It doesn't surprise me," said the Reds chief. "They have an unbeaten run which stretches back to January and they have carried it on this season."

  • THE Reds reserves travel to Workington on Friday night, Paul Lodge's side won 2-0 at Barrow last Saturday.