James Beattie has reiterated his commitment to Stanley after being linked with the vacant manager's job at League 2 rivals Oxford.

The Reds' boss this week emerged as favourite to succeed Chris Wilder, who left the U's for bottom-club Northampton last month.

That led to some dressing room speculation about Beattie's future but the 35-year-old has assured the Stanley players he is happy to stay put.

"There's been no official approach from anybody," he said. "I know the boys were talking and were a bit worried that I was going somewhere.

“But I've spoken to them and explained the situation. My commitment is to them and it has been from day one.

“I think that settled them and everybody was at ease when I put their minds at rest.”

Beattie is in his first season as a manager and despite a poor start to the campaign, he has since led Stanley out of the bottom two.

Had the Reds' form over their last 18 league games also been produced in their first 10 then they'd be sixth in the table. Little wonder the Stanley players were pleased to hear Beattie has no plans to leave the Store First Stadium.

“He's been honest with us and that's all we can ask for,” said captain Luke Joyce.

“We're desperate for him to stay and it seems like he's desperate to stay himself. Now we have to ignore all that and get on with it.

“If the gaffer's getting linked to places then it can only mean we're doing well so that's a bonus.”

Stanley have lost just one of their last eight but tonight host a Scunthorpe side which has thrust themselves into title contention since the two sides last met.

The Reds won 2-0 at Glanford Park in November and four days later Scunthorpe sacked manager Brian Laws.

His long-serving assistant Russ Wilcox stepped into the breach and the Iron have since gone 14 unbeaten in the league, with last Saturday's 1-1 draw against Chesterfield keeping them second in the table.

But Beattie believes his side have the steel to dent the in-form Iron, saying: “We're playing some good football.

“I think the football they're producing at the moment has got to be right up there with the highest standard Stanley fans have ever seen.

“We're looking harder to beat and we've got a bit of steel, a bit of resilience about us, so I'm delighted with how the players are doing.”

Winger Kal Naismith (hip) hopes to overcome a knock that forced him off during the first half of last Saturday's draw at Wycombe.

Stanley have made tonight's game the second 'Fans' Friday' of the season. Adult season-ticket holders for any Premier and Football League club can get in for just £10. Tickets are available at the ground until kick-off.

  • Stanley's Under-18s lost 3-0 at Reading in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday night. That brought an end to the club's best-ever run in the competition.