ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman feels he is just two players away from having the squad he wants to start the season.

The Reds returned for pre-season training with a new look after losing five first team players.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Coleman moved quickly to start pre-season training yesterday with six new players on their books.

And he hopes there are more to come before the season gets under way with the visit of Luton Town on August 8.

Defender Tom Davies, versatile Matt Pearson, striker Adam Morgan and goalkeeper Ross Etheridge, who signed ahead of yesterday’s double training session, are all newcomers to the club, while Billy Kee and Sean McConville have returned for a second spell with Stanley.

Anthony Barry, who was on loan from Forest Green Rovers last season, is expected to re-join the club on a permanent basis, while Gerardo Bruna, who signed on a free transfer during last season, is expected to stay.

Beyond that, Coleman is looking to strengthen his goalkeeping ranks, and back four.

“I think we need a couple more defenders, and then that will probably see us straight, for the start of the season anyway.

“With this squad I’d be confident of going into any season,” said Coleman, who is expected to sign a second goalkeeper tomorrow.

“That’s something I was keen to do because I don’t think I’ve ever had two goalkeepers signed at Accrington.

“That will be a change for the better I hope.

“It’s pleasing that we got most of it done before the start of pre-season.”

Coleman has been able to put his own stamp on the squad after captain Luke Joyce, Nicky Hunt, Rob Atkinson and Kal Naismith all turned down new contract offers.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was disappointed that some of them had gone, but quite a few of them were down to finances,” said the Stanley boss.

“We made people offers that we thought the club could afford.

“I was disappointed in the way one or two of them left, but that’s football. You have to get on with it. You have to look forward and that’s what we intend to do.”

Of putting the prospect of putting the players through their paces ahead of the 2015/16 season Coleman added: “I love it. We’ve had a good break. We had a long stretch last year because we managed in the summer with Sligo so our season was a lot longer than everybody else’s.

“But I’ve had a good break. I’m really refreshed and I’ve been looking forward to this.

“I’m glad it’s finally here.”