Stanley midfielder Jimmy Ryan admits he owes a big debt to John Coleman – and wants to repay the Reds boss by firing them upwards.

Two-and-a-half seasons ago, the ex-Liverpool man had been released by Shrewsbury and was on the hunt for a club.

He came on trial with the Reds, Coleman gave him a chance and a contract and he has never looked back.

In his first season, he scored 10 goals, last season was four and this time out he is on six with a number of clubs said to be keeping tabs on the 22-year-old.

His contract is up in the summer but he is just thinking about helping the Reds achieve the play-offs.

"The gaffer does well with everyone," said Ryan. "I came here with no other options basically and the gaffer did me a favour by picking me.

"He didn’t have to give me a contract but he looked after me, gave me my chance and hopefully I’ve repaid him and can keep repaying him.

"He’s done well with all the young lads who have come here needing another chance and he gets the best of the players who come here.

"I don’t really take any notice of speculation. You hear loads of people saying that people are watching you and you hear from other lads that so-and-so is watching and nothing really comes of it.

"You can’t really think about it until something happens.

"I have just got to keep playing and hopefully I can earn a new contract here and take it from there."

Ryan admits his game has changed in his time with the Reds. "I’d like to think I’ve improved a lot and I feel like my game has changed a little bit.

"I’m a bit more direct in my play now whereas I used to just get on the ball and pass it when I was at Liverpool. My game has changed with a bit of experience of the league but I’ve definitely changed from my Shrewsbury days.

"I’m happy with the six goals I’ve got. I feel like I’ve missed a few chances and I could have made it to ten already but there are a lot more games to be played and hopefully I can get up there by the end of the season."