ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman hailed Matty Pearson's enthusiasm after handing the 22-year-old a new contract.

The defender will now stay at the Wham Stadium until the summer of 2018 and Coleman is delighted the former Halifax man has put pen to paper.

“If you work with Matty every day in training you find out that he’s a breath of fresh air,” said Coleman.

“His enthusiasm for football is fantastic and it didn’t take him long when I offered him a contract for him to sign it.

“We brought him in this summer, I knew him from Rochdale and I’ve got every faith in him and he knows that. He’s got better as the season has gone on and he thoroughly deserves this new contract.”

Pearson, who also spent time with Blackburn Rovers as a youngster, has played 25 games for the Reds this season scoring two goals helping them to eighth place in the League Two table.

And the defender believes Stanley can kick on in 2016 and mount a promotion push.

“It’s great to have my future sorted,” said Pearson. “This club suits me as I live reasonably close by, we’ve been playing well and it felt right here from the moment I joined.

“This is such a warm club. You’re welcomed wherever you go and whoever you speak to and with the players we have at the moment I think we have a great chance of achieving something.”