ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman said captain Peter Cavanagh and defender Robbie Williams will still be available for selection over the Easter period.

Both - along with ex-Reds Jay Harris, David Mannix and Bury striker Andy Mangan - were charged this week with breaching the Football Association’s betting rules, largely in regards to the last match of last season against Bury which the Shakers won 2-0.

All were alleged to have bet on a Bury win with Williams, 30 on Sunday, accused of betting £1,000 and captain Cavanagh, 27, betting on a £5 accumulator. They have until 23 April to reply to the charge but could face a warning, fine or ban if found guilty by the FA.

Chairman Eric Whalley has said he will sack the pair if the case is proved while Coleman believes they should still play for the Reds until a decision has been reached.

"I don’t pick my team until the day before the game but they will be under consideration like everyone else," said the Stanley chief.

"This is something that’s been hanging over us for nearly a year and we will be having an internal inquiry and, until we finish that and the FA finish their investigation fully, then we are in limbo.

"Cav was shocked when he heard he had been charged and, until something changes, he is my captain if he plays.

"Don’t get me wrong, I am as upset as anyone else that a player could bet against their team.

"I said that at the time but I think anyone who saw the Bury game would know my lads were trying to win.

"I am upset that we didn’t win and then the story came out, as we should have won that game.

"Now we are waiting to find out what happens at the hearing and what the lads are charged with before we make any decisions."

Chester chairman Stephen Vaughan said he would stand by both Mannix and Harris at least until the verdict. Both left the Reds at the end of the season and are accused of placing £4,000 and £2,000 respectively on a Bury win.

Mangan, registered at Gigg Lane last May, was said to bet £3,000 on his side winning. He played for new club Forest Green this week.

Coleman, whose side are 11 points off the drop zone and need a win for safety with five games left, admitted it has been hard as he tries to concentrate on two big games over Easter .

They face two teams battling against relegation in 22nd placed Grimsby tomorrow and 23rd placed Chester on Monday.

"Grimsby is a hard game for us but I know the lads are still smarting from their second half perfomance against Lincoln last Saturday and want to bounce back," he said, of the 2-0 loss.

"The players have done great as they won a lot of points for us last month and it is only that second half that let them down recently.

"So we go to Grimsby with confidence although we know their striker Barry Conlon has had a bit of a hoodoo over us - but hopefully we can stop him.

"Grimsby are in a battle against relegation but we still feel we are, as we need a win to ease any lingering doubts and we need to win one of the games this weekend or else we could be right back in it.

"Chester will be a good atmosphere and obviously we know all about Anthony Barry, Jay Harris and David Mannix from their time with us."

Coleman continued: "I know they have only won once since they beat us on Boxing Day but they have some good players like Ryan Lowe and Kevin Ellison and it certainly will be tough.

"Both games are massive for us and the lads especially want to win them after the week we have had."

Coleman is hoping his hitmen Michael Symes and Craig Lindfield can get on the scoresheet as he knows finding the back of the net has been a struggle this season for the Reds.

"Michael and Craig have both worked hard but they haven’t scored that many goals and, from their own point of view, they want to be doing that.

"It has been something which has troubled us all season and it is not just them - but hopefully we can put it right next season."

Winger Chris Turner is fit to play after pulling up in the warm-up against Lincoln but Coleman doesn’t expect Chris King (thigh); Ian Dunbavin (groin), Leam Richardson (pelvic) and Peter Murphy (knee) to play against this season.

The Reds chief admitted he is now looking at players for next season but until the takeover is completed - with Dave O’Neill expected to become the main shareholder this week - it is up in the air.

"We don’t know the budget but I am still looking. The big thing is to try and make the club appealing and the latest bombshell does not add to our appeal."