STANLEY midfielder Callum Johnson wants to celebrate his permanent move to the Reds with a promotion.

The 20-year-old turned his loan switch into a permanent deal earlier this month and is targeting a top three finish to the League Two season.

Back-to-back wins have propelled John Coleman’s side up to fourth in the table ahead of Saturday’s weekend trip to Cheltenham Town.

And, despite a winter wobble which saw Stanley drop to as low as 10th, Johnson said the target of promotion that was laid down by Coleman in pre-season, has not changed.

“The league is really tight but things are positive,” said the midfielder.

“We have had two wins in our last two games and two clean sheets.

“Our target this year is promotion, I think I had only been her a few hours before I knew that.

“It was clear from everyone that was the aim and it still is.

“We are all in in it together and we are definitely good enough to go up. We have been up there all season.”

Meanwhile, Stanley skipper Seamus Conneely is to undergo surgery on his groin hernia this week.

The injury has restricted the 29-year-old to just two appearances since November 11.

Conneely made a return to action at Lincoln in mid-December but broke down again the following week in the first-half against Crawley.

It’s been decided that surgery is the best option for recovery and Conneely, who is hoping to make a quick return to action, said: “It’s frustrating to be out because the games are starting to come thick and fast at an important time of the season.

“But I’ve tried to come back and couple of times now and broken down, so it’s been decided that surgery on my groin is going to be the best option for me going forward.

“I’ve been told that it can take around four to eight weeks to rehabilitate, but I was speaking to Janoi (Donacien) who had a similar op and he was back within a month, so that’s my target.

“Hopefully I can get back out there with the lads and help push us towards our target of promotion.”

Stanley’s skipper has made 21 appearances so far this season.