STANLEY'S FA Cup heroes have to forget their television exploits and step back into the Conference against relegation-threatened Leigh RMI on Saturday.

And the Reds will have to do it without two regulars with both winger Rory Prendergast and midfielder Andy Procter suspended for one game after picking up five bookings each. After the sudden death heroics against Second Division Bournemouth on Monday, boss John Coleman wants to make sure his men are focused on the main task ahead - the Conference play-offs.

"It is a blow to have Rory and Procky suspended as they have both been important but now it is up to the others to seize their chance like Paul Howarth and Jamie Speare have. We have got to make sure we concentrate on the Leigh clash and forget all the euphoria of the cup. We can forget about it until Colchester - a win against Leigh is now important and they have picked up recently."

Coleman hasn't ruled out having a new defender at the club before the clash at Hilton Park. Jonathan Smith is still out with a knee injury while left back Steve Hollis could be back on Saturday - although the Morecambe game on Boxing Day is more likely as he recovers from a broken wrist.

"We have our eye on a defender from a league club. We are desperate for cover and it is a case of watching this space. We won't be spending any money though - you don't need to anymore."

Gordon Armstrong could start in midfield although Ged Brannan returns after being cup-tied on Monday night. Winger Dean Calcutt, meanwhile, will have to have a hernia operation after sitting out the last few games.

Stanley have already beaten Leigh twice this season - 4-1 in the league under Mark Patterson and in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup when Phil Starbuck was in his first game in charge. The Reds won 2-0.

"We feel we owe them one," said Starbuck, who is chasing one-time Stanley target, striker Mark Beesley, who scored 32 goals in 79 Conference games for Chester. "They beat us in the FA Cup when we deserved to get something out of it. They had a gruelling match on Monday, emotionally and physically, which is an incentive for us. It is a local derby and the lads are raring to go."

  • Stanley have signed Damien Hindle, 20. He scored 21 goals for Burnley reserves last season.