ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman will be looking to add at least six players to his squad for next season - as well as using the loan system.

And names in the frame could be ex-Reds midfielder Anthony Barry - who has just been released from Yeovil - and defender Darran Kempson, who the Reds are believed to have asked about this week. He had a successful loan spell with Stanley from Shrewsbury last season but still has a year on his contract.

After a huge clear out at the FES, Coleman said he was currently in talks with two targets and has also put two strikers at the top of his summer shopping list.

"I will speak to two people this week and have one or two irons in the fire and am waiting for people to get back to me," he said. "I think if you use the five youngsters who have signed recently, and have 17 experienced players to add to them, I think then you will have good competition for places and a chance to move on. We have 11 now so we need another six players."

He continued: "At this moment, Paul Mullin is our only experienced striker at the club and I am looking to bring in two strikers.

"It is hard as everyone is looking for the same thing. There seems to be a dearth as everyone who comes out of the Academies seems to be a midfielder but we have our plans."

Coleman also hopes to use the loan system like promoted Hereford.

"We need to use Hereford as our template and they used the loan system really well. We can’t use Peterborough and MK Dons as we don’t get the crowds MK Dons get and we don’t have the money Peterborough have. Hereford have done remarkably well and their manager deserves a medal and should get manager of the year."

Coleman this week slashed his squad, offering new contracts to only Player’s Player of the Year Phil Edwards and goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin.

Out went 12 players with perhaps the surprise one Supporters Young Player of the Season Jay Harris. Young goalkeeper Martin Fearon also didn’t get a new deal along with defenders Mark Roberts, Sean Webb, Graham Branch and Mark King. David Mannix, David Brown, Lee McEvilly and Shaun Whalley also left the FES while loan winger Andy Todd has returned to Rotherham.

It leaves Stanley with just 16 players on their books and so there should be plenty of new faces as the 17th placed Reds look to challenge at the top half of the table next season.

"They were some tough decisions but, if we are going to be able to bring better quality players in, we have to let a lot more go," said Coleman.

"When me and Jimmy (Bell) first came here nine years ago, we had just been relegated (to the UniBond First Division) and there was possibly an air of pessimism around the club.

"We didn't have any players and it took a big rebuilding process and maybe this is one of the biggest rebuilding processes since those days and hopefully we can do it with the same success.

"It is hard as you spend more time with these people than you do your own family. We have been helping them by trying to fix some of them up with league and Conference clubs.

"But it is a business. We have got more wins than we did last season and we have improved our league position - but I want more.

"I don't like the taste of being in the bottom half of the table two years running after not being in it for 11 years as a manager.

"I want to go further and I am learning all the time. I have certainly learnt more this year and hopefully, if it all goes to plan, I can put the lessons I have learnt into good use next season.

"I know I need to bring in the right players and maybe I have got to be a little bit more selective about who I bring to the club."

Former Everton midfielder Barry played a big part in the Reds success in their Conference winning season although he moved to League One side Yeovil on a free transfer in the January.

"You can understand names like Anthony being linked to us," said captain Peter Cavanagh. "He was successful at Accrington in the short time he spent here. He has played two seasons in a league higher and has plenty of quality."

On his books, Coleman has Kenny Arthur, Andy Procter, Cavanagh, Leam Richardson, Robbie Williams, Paul Mullin and Ian Craney while teenagers Jay Bell, Peter Murphy, Chris Turner, Bobby Grant and Andrew Smith signed new deals recently.

Paul Carden and John Miles have another year to run on their contracts although they are loaned out at Cambridge and MK Dons respectively. "How many I get in also depends on these two as well," added Coleman. "Cambridge are very keen to keep Paul and we will have to discuss it. Because of these two, I will be looking at anywhere between five and eight players."


* STANLEY youngsters lost 3-2 to Burnley on Wednesday in their final Pontins League game of the season. Trialist Arran McCarthy and Bevan Burey were on target.


* BOURNEMOUTH, Gillingham, Luton and Port Vale came down from League One while Aldershot and either Exeter or Cambridge will be promoted from the Blue Square Premier League. "It is a good feeling to play Bournemouth on a level playing field as playing them in the FA Cup a few years ago was the catalyst to us going full-time. That was special," added Coleman.