STANLEY boss John Coleman is in the hunt for some new players as the Reds enter the second half of the season.

Coleman was gutted to miss out on Burscough hitman Lee McEvilly who, after Stanley had bid £10,000 for him, joined Third Division Rochdale for an initial £15,000 before Christmas.

And, as revealed in yesterday's Lancashire Evening Telegraph, the Reds' top striker Lutel James was transfer-listed because of failure to pay a fine imposed because of a sending off - but the situation was resolved last night and James is now off the list.

The Crown Ground chief is now looking at every option as the third placed Stanley look to carry on making an impact at the top of the UniBond Premier table.

"I was disappointed to miss out on Lee," said Coleman. "We wish him the best because he wants to go into League football.

"He came on as a substitute the other day so he has had a taste of the League.

"I am sure he will do well but we will continue to monitor his situation. We would have liked him to come here and spend at least a season with us where we could have got the best out of him.

"But we will continue looking. We know we need to strengthen."

He continued: "We were delighted to sort out the disciplinary matter with Lutel. We didn't want to lose a player of Lutel's calibre but we had to make a stand as he didn't agree with the club policy regarding his recent three-game suspension. Thankfully, it was be sorted.

"We have not got the strongest of squads and that is something we will look to improve. We are watching players from the North West Counties upwards. It is always a gamble who you buy, you never know if they will fit into your team or not, but we do need a couple of new faces."

While Stanley are looking around, there are a number of scouts descending on the Crown Ground with persistent links between Oldham Athletic and defender Jonathan Smith.

After asking Smith to go on trial at Boundary Park late last year - which was refused by the Reds - the Latics watched him again in the 3-3 draw with leaders Burton.

"Jonathan has got a presence about him this season which he never had in the previous seasons," continued the Stanley chief. "He has a belief in himself and has been playing out of his skin.

"I don't agree with trials - it's not good for the player or the club. It can be unsettling. If a club believes in the player they should make a firm bid and I'm sure anyone who has watched Jonathan over the last couple of months will be aware of how consistent he has been.

"He has got the ability to go on. He is an honest lad who is always prepared to listen and learn. Selfishly I don't want him to go, he's a good player for us. But I'm sure he can play in the League and, for the lad, I hope he does. I don't mind scouts coming to watch us though. It shows we are doing well so long may they carry on coming!" While Smith is catching the eye of League scouts, left back Barrie Hart has caught the eye of many fans who have been impressed with his move from North West Counties side Clitheroe into the UniBond League.

"Barrie has taken the move in his stride and he has confidence in ability," continued Coleman. "He has played 12 games for us and he hasn't lost a game yet in 90 minutes so he must be doing something right!"

Stanley are on a 13-game unbeaten run - a penalty loss to Altrincham apart - but face a tough test when eighth placed Gateshead visit the Crown Ground tomorrow.

Gateshead - whose financial problems have been well-documented especially after Paul Gascoigne gave £10,000 to help their plight - lie seven points behind Stanley with two games in hand.

"We haven't played them yet this season but I have had them watched and they are similar to last season," said Coleman. "They have struggled financially but Gazza has given them some money and maybe it will give them a lift.

"But we haven't worried about the opposition all season, we have just worried about ourselves and how we shall play and it will be the same tomorrow.

"There are ten or so teams up there all separated by about six points and we will all take points off each other. If we keep winning, we will be making ground on the others and that is what we have got to keep doing."

The good news for Stanley is that centre half Robbie Williams is back in the squad after suffering a badly gashed leg earlier this season. "He gives us something else and it will be nice to see him playing again."