PETER Sleep, now settled in as Accrington's professional for the rest of the season, is in the sort of mood to make opponents beware.

For the Australian all-rounder, given permission by Lancashire to fit the professional's job around his county commitments as second team coach, believes it won't be long before he's firing on all cylinders.

And that spells good news for Accrington - left in the lurch by Nottinghamshire's shock swoop for Nathan Astle - but potentially bad news for the rest of the EW Cartons Lancashire League.

Sleep admitted it would give him particular satisfaction if he could charge out of the starting blocks against one of his former clubs Rishton next month.

There seems to be no love lost between the two, after Rishton originally hoped Sleep was going to play for them as an amateur this summer.

He was prevented from doing so by his anticipated duties for Lancashire but circumstances had changed by the time Accrington and other clubs approached Old Trafford for his services.

But, before he contemplates facing his old team, Sleep is looking forward to tomorrow's derby game against Enfield at Thorneyholme Road and the chance of revenge.

Just over a month ago, Accrington were convincingly beaten at Dill Hall Lane, with Enfield professional Shane Lee benefiting from a "life" to play a major innings.

And Lee is a cricketer held in the highest regard by his fellow-Aussie.

"I think Shane Lee is a very fine cricketer, a good all-round player," said Sleep.

"But as a team, Enfield are in the same boat as Accrington, only just above us in the league. I think the two sides are similar in lots of ways. "It could well be a battle of the two professionals and, as with all the pros, you get him out and feel you are halfway towards getting the job done.

"That will certainly be the case with Shane Lee."

Sleep is disappointed with his own contribution so far, feeling his bowling has been, relatively, okay but his batting not up to anything like the sort of standard which brought him a Lancashire League record.

"I certainly haven't set the world on fire," he said.

"But when I do someone is going to pay and pay dearly."

There's an extra edge to tomorrow's clash with several players having traded places between the clubs and whoever wins will gain vital ground in the bid to climb away from the bottom.

But Sleep is generally optimistic about Accrington's prospects.

"We have picked up a couple of handy players and Russ Edmonds is back from injury, that's a bonus for us," he said. "We aren't going to be breaking any pots but I think we are certainly capable of staying away from the bottom.

"I also have a few plans for the club which I am not prepared to divulge at this stage but which will see things happen in future.

"There are also a couple of players I think could benefit Accrington." The fact that he has been able to play regular league cricket after all seems to have left relations strained between Rishton and Sleep, who is disappointed some people do not accept the reasons.

He explained: "Everything has to go through Lancashire. Originally I was due to be looking at young players for the Premier League next year and also to be going with the first team.

"Circumstances then changed completely with things backfiring. Lancashire arranged for me to play at Norden and then as a sub-pro at Accrington.

"When Accrington approached Lancashire they were given the go-ahead to sign me to replace Nathan Astle.

"It was all out of my hands, I have to abide by what Lancashire say because they employ me."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.