ACCRINGTON Stanley hope to secure the long-term future of more of their key men in the coming weeks.

The Reds extended the stay of midfielder Sam Finley last week and boss John Coleman is keen to see more first team players follow suit.

Young defender Ross Sykes is in line for a new deal with the 19-year-old attracting attention from other clubs, with Sunderland among the sides taking interest in the centre back.

Sykes is currently sidelined with a groin injury but has made 17 appearances for the Reds this season and is set to be rewarded for his impressive performances. His current deal expires next summer.

Stanley have several players out of contract this year, including the likes of Mark Hughes, Seamus Conneely, Jordan Clark, Jonny Maxted and Ben Richards-Everton.

Hughes and Clark are fixtures in Coleman's first choice XI and the boss admits he wants to secure some of his out of contract stars to new deals in the near future but said ensuring League One safety would help speed the process up.

"We have got to speak to a few people and we will iron that out in the next couple of weeks," he said. "We have to know where we are first."

Finley, who featured for the Reds in their clash with Blackpool last night, has become one of the first names on the teamsheet this season and Coleman said the new deal was just reward for the 26-year-old's performances this term.

"Sam came at the start of the season and it is well documented that he was offered more money outside of the Football League but he wanted to try his luck in the league," said the Accrington boss.

"He backed himself and the intention when we signed him was that if he proves himself and proves he is good enough to play in the Football League then we will reward him with a new contract and that is what we have done. We stuck to our word.

"He has played a lot of games and has a lot under his belt and that is good for him."

Finley has made 36 appearances for the Reds in all competitions since joining from National League side AFC Fylde last summer.