STANLEY boss John Coleman is hoping he can keep top keeper Kenny Arthur at the club.

The Reds manager has been in talks with the majority of last season’s squad this week in a bid to offer them new deals as he only has Paul Mullin and Sean McConville in contract.

Coleman does, though, have a limited budget to work with, but signing the highly-rated Scot Arthur is one of his priorities.

"I spoke to him on Wednesday and I hope to speak to him again today," said the Reds boss.

"The big thing is Kenny seems keen to stay. Hopefully we can sort something out."

Coleman has already agreed two-year deals with midfielder Jimmy Ryan and young winger Chris Turner while experienced midfielder John Mullin’s number of appearances last season have triggered a clause in his contract to stay another year.

And the Reds boss has now added teenager Peter Murphy and Bobby Grant to that list, having agreed one-year contracts with the pair.

"Peter is coming back from injury and so it is a big season for him while Bobby’s main aim is to prove he has overcome his knee operation," said the Stanley chief, with Grant tipped for big things before being hampered by injury.

"I think his goal against Chesterfield late in the season - his first league goal - will have done a great deal for his confidence and now he has to build on that."

Coleman said he also hoped to have defender Phil Edwards signed up to a two-year contract soon.

"We are close to agreeing a deal with Phil. He has done well this season, he started playing well the back end of the season before and he is important to us."

And there have also been talks with midfielder Andy Procter who Coleman is keen to sign although it is believed Rochdale and Macclesfield - who made enquiries about Procter last season - could renew their interest.

"Procky is another I spoke to on Wednesday and I want to keep but it is wait and see on that one."

Coleman, who was set to watch the League Two Play-off Final between Shrewsbury and Gillingham tomorrow, has also had initial talks with winger John Miles while he was set to talk to left back Chris King and Jay Bell soon.

Coleman is also waiting for Leam Richardson and keeper Ian Dunbavin to return from their holidays.

Meanwhile Rochdale boss Keith Hill has said he no longer has any interest in Stanley’s transfer listed striker Paul Mullin. Hill made a £55,000 bid for Mullin in January.

"Our time and association with Paul Mullin has probably past, and I say that with all due respect to him because he has been a great servant to Accrington," said the Dale boss. "We bid for him a couple of times but I don’t think he’ll be part of our recruitment drive."

It is believed Morecambe are on the hunt for strikers and could be interested in the 35-year-old.

Coleman admitted he is gutted to see his star striker on the list but is part of the financial cutbacks that have to be made at the FES - he has had his playing budget slashed by a quarter from last season.

"Everyone knows how highly I think of Paul," said Coleman who has worked with Mullin for 10 years at Accrington.

"But I have a budget to work to and incorporating Paul’s wages in that would make it really difficult.

"It is hard with the lower budgets but it is all part and parcel of football at the moment.

"It is probably the hardest season I have had in the Football League dealing with finances and sorting out contracts but we just have to cut our cloth accordingly.

"I have always known I had to work within limits.

"I think this season I will have a basic squad of 17 or 18 players and then rely on one or two loan players."

And one of these could be Craig Lindfield. The Liverpool striker was on loan at Stanley last season and has one-year left on his Anfield contract.

Coleman confirmed: "We are speaking to him this week and hope to have some news shortly."

The manager also said it was hard on long servants Peter Cavanagh and Robbie Williams who are caught up in the betting allegations and are waiting for dates of their personal hearings before the Football Association.

"It is all up in the air and we can’t do anything until their cases have been dealt with."

THE League Two fixtures are out Wednesday 17 June.