ACCRINGTON Stanley hope at least two new signings will have put pen to paper by today (Friday).

The Reds added Blackburn Rovers defender Dean Winnard to their squad last Friday and ex-Carlisle midfielder Luke Joyce was expected to sign for Stanley on a one-year-deal yesterday.

Reds assistant boss Jimmy Bell also said they were closing in on Wrexham defender Darran Kempson and Peterborough’s Kieran Charnock while a last minute hitch stopped them adding a League One striker to their squad - although the deal may be resurrected.

Bell also said a target was Scottish goalkeeper Alan Martin, from Leeds United who could come to the Reds on a season long loan.

Martin, 21, comes highly-rated, having shone in the Blue Square Premier League with Barrow on loan last season.

They currently only have goalie Ian Dunbavin on their books after Kenny Arthur joined Rochdale.

"It is coming together now," said the assistant boss, with the Reds returning for pre-season training on Monday ahead of their fourth League Two campaign. "Chris Turner, Jimmy Ryan and Luke Joyce officially signed their contracts yesterday and we are making moves to get other players in.

"Barrow boss Dave Bayliss said Alan (Martin) was outstanding for them. He is still with Leeds but is keen to play league football.

"Dean (Winnard) ticks all the boxes. We have had a look at him in a reserve game and he comes with a good pedigree from Blackburn. He is a strong lad who can play anywhere along the back and is well built.

"And Luke (Joyce) is a good central midfielder who is also held in high regard. I have spoken to people at Carlisle, Barrow and Northwich where he was on loan last season and they told us to snap him up as he is a really good footballer.

"We are hoping he can do similar to what Jimmy Ryan did last season."

Midfielder Ryan was Stanley’s Player of the Season after signing from Shrewsbury and chipping in with 10 goals.

The assistant boss said talks were also at an advanced stage for centre half Kempson, who has been on loan with the Reds before. He has a year left on his Wrexham contract but it’s believed he can leave for free.

"He wants to come to us so talks are going well. We have also been in negotiation with Peterborough about Kieran and we are still hoping to secure his signature permanently or on a loan deal.

"Now the finances at the club have been sorted we are able to make progress," added Bell, with Stanley’s £300,000 outstanding tax bill being paid off monthly, stopping the winding up order on the club.

The majority of last season’s team have either agreed or are close to agreeing a new deal but Bell admits it has been hard with the 25 per cent reduction in wages.

"It has taken so long because you are asking some players to do the same job as last year on less money.

"They go away and have a sulk, talk to their agents, look for a new club and then realise it won’t happen as most clubs are in the same boat and come back to us. it’s not nice but it is the climate we are in at the moment.

"Hopefully though now we will have the players to challenge at the top half of the table," added Bell with Stanley in three relegation battles so far.