ACCRINGTON boss John Coleman is eyeing a transfer-market raid to keep Stanley's promotion push on course.

The Reds further reduced their squad this week when they allowed non-contract midfielder Alan Navarro to join Macclesfield Town.

Coleman acted swiftly to bring in Wigan Athletic youngsters Kevin Lee and Phil Edwards on loan from the Premiership outfit.

But the Stanley manager admits that he remains on the look-out for senior players to sustain his side's flying start to the season after they moved to within a point of Conference leaders Grays Athletic with last Friday night's victory over Hereford.

"The facility is there to bring players in and in time we probably do need them," Coleman said.

"The chairman has indicated that if we need them when the transfer widow opens we could buy a player.

"We can't stand still. You want to strengthen while you are in a decent position in the league, so we are looking."

Coleman could make a loan signing or bring in an unattached player before the transfer window re-opens on January 1. But he may wait to gauge the fitness of defender Andy Tretton before taking the plunge.

The summer signing from Hereford is yet to kick a ball in anger for Accrington because of a knee injury. But after an intensive rehabilitation programme Coleman expects the 29-year-old to be ready to return within a fortnight.

And if he makes a successful comeback, Coleman is likely to keep his focus on strengthening in midfield and attack.

He already has central defedner Lee and midfield man Edwards to call on and admits he would not be afraid to pitch the teenage pair into the Conference fray.

"They have been looking good in training and I have been impressed with them," Coleman added.

"They are first-year professionals at a Premiership club so they are no dummies. With Ged Brannan and then Alan Navarro leaving we are a bit light, so it's nice to have a bit of quality to bring in."

Coleman will be glad of some extra options with Stanley facing a key eight-day spell of league and cup action.

After Saturday's Conference promotion clash at Stevenage Borough, the Reds go to Rotherham in the LDV Vans Trophy first round next Tuesday night before launching their FA Cup campaign at home to Worcester City on Saturday week.

And Coleman has pledged to go flat-out to keep contesting on all fronts as he looks for a repeat of last season's Trophy shock of League One side Bradford City.

"There is a school of thought that if you are doing well in the league then you are better off out of the cup competitions, but I don't subscribe to that," he said.

"Games are always better than training and as a player you just want to keep playing games and win every one."

However, Coleman admits that the cup games will still offer a welcome break from the stresses of league football and a different kind of challenge. He added: "Someone like Anthony Barry has probably never played 13 competitive games in a row, never mind with the pressure of them being big league games.

"I'm not saying he will take it easy but these kind of games might do him the world of good."

There will be no Conference points up for grabs in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round, but Stanley will be playing for a £10,000 prize and a possible crack at League opposition.

Standing in their way, following Monday's draw, will be a Worcester side managed by former Blackpool and Bury striker Andy Preece.

Worcester have endured a poor start to the season, with just one win in their opening nine games to leave them third from bottom of Conference North.

However, they eased through the last round with former Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham midfielder Graham Hyde getting one of their goals in a 3-0 win over Tonbridge Angels after winning 7-0 in the previous round.

And Coleman, who will watch Worcester against Nuneaton on Monday night, warned: "I wouldn't take too much notice of their form because they have some decent players. But you can't complain about being at home."

Worcester chairman Dave Boddy was less pleased. He said: "I think we have had the luck of the draw in the previous two rounds and it's caught up with us. We have got to go there with no fear and see what we can do.

"Their record suggests it's going to be difficult. They will be delighted to be at home but you take what you get. We will go up there and enjoy it."