ANDY Mangan is ready to ditch his super-sub tag and cement himself in Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman's first-team plans.

The sprightly striker earned a reputation as an impact player last season after he scored five of his six goals after coming off the bench in the Reds' Conference championship winning campaign.

But this season he is aiming for a starring role from the off.

"Pre-season has gone well and I feel good and sharp, but I know I've still got to keep working," said the 19-year-old, who will start against former club Blackpool in tonight's friendly at the Fraser Eagle Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm).

"I've had one year of watching and learning my trade and now I feel a lot more experienced, so hopefully I'll be able to push myself forward for the first team because my aim is to be a regular in the starting line-up this season.

"The manager's told me it's a big year for me. I know it's a big year and I'm ready for it.

"The super-sub tag from last season was funny at the time but I'm sick of it now.

"I want to be an impact player for the full 90 minutes.

"Plus, I think there are a lot more goals in me this year. I've just got to work hard and see what happens."

Mangan is set to face a handful of his former team-mates tonight, while ex-Stanley winger Rory Prendergast is expected to return to Accrington with the Tangerines after being offered the 12-month option on his contract by manager Simon Grayson.

"There are probably only about six players at the most who are left from when I was there, including the manager, so I'm looking forward to the game and seeing them all again because it's been a while," he said.

"We've played well in most of the pre-season games so far and we've been unlucky not to get more out of them.

"But the season can't come soon enough now. I just want to play football."