Stanley's eleventh-hour deadline day signing Ian Craney admits that he didn’t think enough about returning to the Crown Ground when he had the chance in the summer.

The midfielder signed a permanent 18-month deal with the Reds for the third time in his career just before the transfer window slammed shut on Monday, having secured his release from Blue Square Premier side Fleetwood.

"I maybe rushed into the decision to go to Fleetwood in the summer," reflected the 28-year-old.

"I didn’t think it through properly. I made that decision and had to deal with it, but now I’ve got another chance to play for Accrington in the Football League and I can’t wait. I’m going to work so hard for the club to try to get them into the play-offs."

Craney’s two previous spells at Stanley ended with big money moves to clubs from higher leagues, but he insists that is not the motivation for making a return.

"I’m not thinking like that," he said. "I just want to get back playing and playing well and scoring goals for Accrington, for John (Coleman) and Jimmy (Bell).

"I came back last time from Swansea with the intention of staying and all of a sudden Huddersfield came in from nowhere.

"You don’t know what’s happening round the corner, but I just want to concentrate on Accrington."

Craney was the final signing of a hectic deadline for John Coleman and Jimmy Bell, who brought in three players and tied another two down to new contracts.

"If you look at the squad now, how big it is and the quality in it, it’s probably one of the best squads I’ve seen here," remarked Craney.

"The squads before have been little with quality in them, but I think that Coley has got a squad here that’s big enough and strong enough to challenge for the play-offs."

The other man returning to the Crown permanently is defender Joe Jacobson.

The Welshman played under Coleman and Bell on loan four years ago before returning for a similar spell from Oldham last November.

The 24-year-old had been on the transfer list at Boundary Park and, having secured his release from his Latics contract, had no hesitation in penning a deal until the end of the season at Stanley.

"First team football is massive," he said. "You speak to any player and all they want to do is play football.

"I’m so thankful to John and Jimmy for being able to give me that.

"Games are what I need and I feel now that I’m getting back to how I know I can play and hopefully I’ll show everyone what I can do.

"Like any player I’ve got my own personal targets but six months is a long time in football and a lot of things can change.

"I’ve just got to play as well as I can for me and for the club and for everyone at Accrington, hopefully do well and we’ll take it from there."

Another familiar face returning is Kevin Long, captured on loan until the end of the season from neighbours Burnley.

The Ireland under 21 international made 12 Stanley appearances in a three-month loan at the Crown Ground earlier this season, but then broke his toe in the away win at Cheltenham.

He can’t wait to be back to full fitness and pressing for a place in Coleman’s starting 11.

"I’m raring to go," he admitted. "I’m sick of the gym already! I didn’t think the injury was that bad at the time but I just went for an X-ray on the Monday after the game as a precaution and they said it was broken.

"I can walk on it fine, but it’s in an awkward position where the bone is cracked so I won’t be able to kick a ball for another week or two."

Also staying until the end of the summer are Andy Parkinson and Ray Putterill. The pair were handed short-term deals in the summer to prove their fitness and have gone on to make over 40 appearances between them so far this season.

"I had confidence in my ability to win a new contract," said Putterill after penning the deal. I think I was just happy to sign any contract in the summer with only playing Saturday football. I was just happy to get back into the Football League.

"I played Saturday football for a year and it was hard playing that type of football when you know you can play at a better level.

"Hopefully we can get to the playoffs. I think we’ve got a very good squad that can push for the top seven.

"Myself, I’d like to just keep playing for Accrington and see what happens at the end of the season."