SCOTT Brown insists he’s ready to slot straight back into the Stanley starting 11 if he gets the nod from his manager this afternoon.

The midfielder is available again after serving a five-match ban and hopes John Coleman puts his trust in him for the clash with Blackpool at Bloomfield Road (3pm).

Brown admits it’s been frustrating sitting out a chunk of the Reds’ 13-game unbeaten run after picking up a third red card of the season.

And he revealed he has been working hard to stay in shape, so he can play his part as Accrington target a play-off spot.

“It has been hard,” he said. “In total that’s 10 games I’ve missed through suspension, which obviously isn’t good for myself or the club.

“It’s frustrating and I don’t really like watching football matches at the best of times because obviously you just want to be playing.

“But hopefully I can put that right and play a key part in hopefully getting us promoted.

“I’m back in the fold for Friday and I’ve been doing extra work away from the club to make sure I’m ready if selected.”

Brown had to sit out one match after he picked up two yellows cards at Colchester in September, missed four following a harsh straight red at Cheltenham in January, and then his latest ban following a poor tackle on Yeovil Francois Zoko last month.

He apologised to Zoko afterwards, but says the other incident were unfortunate and he won’t change his approach despite the suspensions.

“Three red cards in one season isn’t good by any means,” said Brown.

“I think the two yellows at Colchester, I don’t think either of them was a booking. The Cheltenham one was a bit hit and miss.

“The Yeovil one, I can’t disagree with in the slightest. It was a poor challenge and I apologised to the lad straight away, the gaffer and the lads in the changing rooms too,” he said.

“But I do go in for challenges and if you take that away from my game I’m not going to be the same player.”

“If the ball’s there to be won I’m going to go and win it. Just because I’ve been sent off a few times doesn’t put any doubt in my mind. I’ve got to make my presence felt.”

Brown has seen his side storm up the table in his absence and admits watching from the stands has given him a new perspective on how they are playing. Now he wants to join in the fun.

He said: “It’s always different watching from the sidelines because you see the bigger picture.

“I thought second half against Crewe we were brilliant – we got in people’s faces, we pressed high and we got chances and took them.

“We could have scored a lot more on the day.

“I’m just happy to be back in the fold now and if the gaffer thinks it’s right to put me in, or if I’m on the bench, I’ll just have to take it from there.”