JOHN Coleman is hoping a final pre-season fixture against an Everton XI will provide Accrington Stanley with the perfect springboard for the coming campaign.

The Reds have so far played opposition from the UniBond and North West Counties Leagues.

But they face Owen Coyle’s Burnley side this Saturday, before their grand finale against Everton on Wednesday, August 6.

Coleman said: “We haven’t had a lot of games so this is another chance to get some practice in before the season starts.

“I would’ve liked to have played a couple more games, but the lads are all looking good so far.”

Everton agreed to come to Accrington to help the club raise money for the development on the far side of the ground into which additional seats must be incorporated to take the total covered seated capacity to 2,000 by May 1, 2009.

Chief Executve, Rob Heys, said: “Stanley have a good relationship with the Merseyside outfit in recent years, taking Anthony Gerrard on loan during our time in the Nationwide Conference and playing them in a behind closed doors training match at Goodison last season.

“And the original Accrington FC’s first ever Football League match was against their fellow founder members back in 1888.”

Further details will be announced in the next few days with regards to pricing for the Everton XI fixture.