Stanley close to Coleman deal

Coleman: Set to sign new deal

Related links

Teams

• Accrington Stanley

Also see

• Accrington highlights
• Accrington stats
• Accrington archive

Accrington Stanley are close to agreeing new deals for manager John Coleman and his assistant Jimmy Bell, with talks set to continue this week.

Coleman has been working on a verbal agreement of a one-year rolling contract since joining the Lancashire club almost 11 years ago.

However, Ilyas Khan promised the duo extended deals when he took over the League Two club in November, and Coleman expects to put pen-to-paper by the end of the week.

"I don't think we are a million miles away, but we will wait to see what is offered this week and make a decision then," Coleman told skysports.com. "I'm hoping to have something sorted by the end of this week though.

"I've been working on a verbal contract for 11 years, so it won't really affect me having something on paper.

"I've enjoyed every minute of working at this club and it won't make any difference to me when it is signed and sealed."

Stanley's play-off hopes took another blow at the weekend, when promotion rivals Notts County stormed to a 3-0 win, but they have an instant chance to bounce back as they host Macclesfield Town on Tuesday night and Coleman is now seeing the benefits of his side's fixture backlog.

He added: "The lads are desperate to play again, so having the game tomorrow night will be good for them.

"They felt they deserved something out of the game and hopefully that will keep them hungry to go out and get something against Macclesfield. It is a chance to get back on the bike, so to speak."