Stanley hopefuls pushing for starts

STANLEY manager John Coleman could look to the young crop of talent at the club after a successful run out in the Checkatrade Trophy against Wigan Athletic.

“It’s a great opportunity to get games into lads, and get them ready for when they’re called upon,” Coleman told the club’s official website.

“The young players are knocking on the door all season, they’ve trained brilliantly all season, they’re asking questions of me everyday, which is the way it should be.

“Everyone knows I don’t like tinkering with the team but I will make changes if I think they’re necessary and this puts them in the shop window

“You’ve only got to take your chances, if you get in hopefully you can stay in.”

An impressive performance on Tuesday night saw Stanley beat Wigan 4-0 at the DW Stadium, with Jonathan Edwards, Erico Sousa (2), and Mekhi McLeod the scorers.

Edwards, 20, who is on loan at Stanley from Championship side Hull City after impressing for the under 23 side, moved to the club seeking regular football.

The Englishman has only played six games in all competitions since joining in January 2017, but Coleman’s words after the game will only encourage the young forward. The older duo of McLeod, 21, and Sousa, 22, will also be looking forward to their next chance to impress the Stanley boss as they look to cement a more active role in the first team set up, with both of their contracts up in the summer.