ACCRINGTON STANLEY boss John Coleman has confirmed that he is in talks with a former Football League player about a move to the Crown Ground.

Coleman was being his usual evasive self this morning as he refused to reveal who the mystery player was.

"I'm not at liberty to say who the player is," said Coleman.

"The guessing games start now, don't they? I will try to contact him today but I doubt if he'll sign in time for tonight's game."

When it was put to him that the player could be former Burnley man Lennie Johnrose, Coleman said: "Has he played in the Premiership?" suggesting that it was a former Premiership player he was speaking to.

Stanley already have one former top-flight player in their ranks, the ex-Liverpool midfielder Mike Marsh.

Meanwhile, the most prolific strikeforce in the UniBond League comes up against the stingiest defence when Stanley take on Burscough at the Crown Ground tonight.

Burscough are second in the Premier Division having conceded just two goals in the league this season.

They are still trailing the top-of-the-table Reds by five points - and no matter how good their defence is, it will have a job keeping out a side that has scored an average of more than two goals a game so far this season.

Between them, the Reds' forward line of Paul Mullin and Lutel James have scored 13 goals in 12 games - and the rest of the side have chipped in with 13.

And the Reds have new signing Tony Black chomping at the bit and desperate for his chance. Black could make his debut tonight.

Manager John Coleman is looking for a much-improved performance after being disappointed with his side in the last two league games - which ended in draws - and in last Saturday's 2-0 FA Cup win over Billingham.

"We owe it to the fans and we owe it to ourselves to give it a good go and win the game," he said.

But he refused to accept that it would be his side's biggest test of the season or that it would have much bearing on the destination of the league title.

"Every game is a test," he said. "Every game is difficult especially for us now and we want to get three points. We won't go out with special intentions tonight just because we are playing second in the league.

"I watched Burscough against Altrincham and they are well organised and they play some good football. It will be a difficult game."

Russell Payne, Peter Cavanagh, Mike Marsh and Mark Brennan are all still doubtful through injury and Coleman said he won't be changing his side in light of the recent under-par performances.

"It is something we have to work on as a team," he said. "It is not something that can be fixed by dropping a player and putting someone else in.

"We have to address it as a team. Any changes I make won't be because of Saturday's performance.

"Burscough have a strong defence led by Shaun Teale who I know from my days at Southport and it will be a case of which comes out on top on the night."