ACCRINGTON Stanley goalkeeping coach Jamie Speare says he has no fear if he has to step into league action.

The 31-year-old will be on the bench tomorrow as goalie Ian Dunbavin recovers from a horrific gash in his knee after a late challenge on him at Tranmere on Tuesday.

And it means Speare, who last played for Stanley four years ago, will be on standby if anything happens to Kenny Arthur.

"It is good for me but not for Bavs. The only way I was ever going to be involved was if something bad happened to one of the other two and I did not want that to happen," said Speare, who last played in the league for Darlington when he was 21 and has got international clearance after playing for Colwyn Bay in Wales last season.

"Hopefully Bavs will be back in a couple of weeks and I will gladly take a back seat again as my job is a coach and to keep Bavs and Kenny sharp and fit and that’s what I enjoy doing.

"I am fit enough to play although it is 10 years since I last did full-time training so I am a bit behind the lads.

"I wouldn’t be worried, though, to go in goal if it had to happen. I would just do the best I can."

A gutted Dunbavin is expected to be out for a couple of weeks after having six stitches in a deep cut in his knee following a late challenge by Craig Curran on a slippy pitch at Prenton Park in Stanley’s Johnstone Paints Trophy defeat.

The 28-year-old was making his first start of the season for the Reds and was stretchered off.

Manager John Coleman admitted: "It is like the Grand Canyon. It is a horrendous injury. I am disappointed with the challenge.

"Give the lad (Curran) his due he has apologised but on conditions like that he had no chance. He hasn't meant to hurt him but it is a blow for Bavs who has waited for his chance and was doing okay."

Coleman added: "We brought Jamie in as a goalkeeping coach and a third choice keeper but hopefully Bavs will have a speedy recovery."