ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman has admitted the past seven days have been the toughest week of his managerial career.

But he rubbished rumours of a dressing room split after watching star players Ian Craney, Sean Doherty, Francois Dubordeaux and Rikki Baines all leave on loan.

However, coupled with captain Peter Cavanagh's serious knee injury, Jay Harris' controversial sending off against Hartlepool, and a desperate struggle to recruit more players on loan, he revealed it had been something of a challenge just to make it through the week.

He said: "I'd be lying if I said it hadn't been a trying week.

"It's been one of the most difficult in my managerial career to date, but you have to go on, you have to face these things.

"And if I want to put a smile on my face I just pop the video on and watch Woking away from last season.

"You've got to experience bad times in football. I know we've got some smashing lads here and some great team spirit.

"Some of the suggestions made this week about there being people not being happy with eachother and the club going through a rocky patch and the team spirit being gone is totally laughable.

"If you speak to anyone here they'll testify to that.

"The players love coming to work, I love coming to work and Jimmy does and we'll continue to strive to push this club forward.

"I was disappointed that we lost on Saturday and we're still hurting from that.

"I watched the video on Sunday and digested it and spoke to the players at training on Monday, then I had a long trip to Cardiff to speak to these two players.

"And then there's been the negotiations with Ian Craney that hasn't helped.

"And the injury to Peter that was confirmed on Monday.

"It's been a hard week but that's part and parcel of football."