ACCRINGTON Stanley loanee Dan Barlaser is hoping his attacking instincts can help him earn a starting spot.

The 21-year-old played 74 minutes in the weekend clash with AFC Wimbledon on Saturday which saw Stanley win 2-1 to move up to ninth place in the League One table.

That was his first start for the Reds after two cameo appearances off the bench and the midfielder is keen to provide another option for Stanley boss John Coleman.

Scott Brown and Seamus Conneely are the established pairing in the middle of midfield but Barlaser, who has featured for the Newcastle first team, is hoping to force his way into the reckoning, and believes his attacking prowess is the way to do it.

Brown and Conneely have scored a combined five times for the Reds since the start of last season, with their game based more on possession and defensive duties.

Barlaser is happy to play that role but believes he can offer a more forward thinking approach.

“If I am playing in a midfield two I like to get forward in the box and hopefully get goals and assists,” he said.

“I have played in a deeper role many a time but I like to think of myself has a forward-thinking player.”

The midfielder, who played four games during a loan spell at Crewe in League Two last season, was not the only new loan arrival from the North East at the Wham Stadium with striker Luke Charman following him to East Lancashire.

And Barlaser said the pair are settling in off the pitch, both living in the same house share in Merseyside - along with fellow Reds Will Wood and Offrande Zanzala.

“I am in a house with a few of the other lads who are here so it is really good and I have settled in nicely,” Barlaser added. “I am straight in at the deep end but it is nice.

“It has probably helped Luke having me here because it is his first loan

“When it is your first loan you are quiet and you don’t really know people but I have experienced it before so I am fine but for him it is a bit different.

“It can be daunting but it depends how you take it, I just want to myself and hopefully settle in and Luke will be the same.”