TONY Grant is hoping Accrington Stanley can help him find a new club before the end of the week.

The midfielder, who was released by Burnley at the end of last season, has been training with the Conference club to regain his sharpness and fitness.Grant is friends will fellow Scousers John Coleman, the Stanley manager, and player coach Paul Cook, but there's been no mention of him looking to join them on a permanent basis.

Grant said: "I need to get fit and it's the closest club, plus Coley and Cooky are friends and are doing me a favour.

"I just need to get a bit of normality back in to it because I've been off longer than I usually would be.

"It's the first year I haven't been with a team at this stage and I've got to get some running in me.

"I must have joined Stanley on a bad day because all we did was running because that's what you do more of in the lower leagues - but I really need to do it."

At 30-years-old and with a history of playing exclusively in the top two divisions, Grant will be expected to find a Football League club before the season kicks off next month.

However, he isn't worried that, with two months expired since he left Turf Moor, he is still to find employment.

Grant added: "I'm hanging on to wait and see what happens but there are things happening and I hope I will have something by the end of the week.

"People will read stuff into me being at Stanley but it's just for training and to get myself in nick."

BURNLEY could be on the verge of adding more international class to their squad.

Manager Steve Cotterill completes his American scouting mission later today, while Stoke City youngster Richard Keogh continues training with the first team.

Cotterill has watched CONCACAF Cup ties involving Mexico, Guatemala, Jamaica and South Africa during his trip to LA, but has suggested that he wont be returning with any deals done.

But 18-year-old defender Keogh has plenty of international ambition of his own after setting his sights on pushing for a place in the Republic Of Ireland Under 21 squad.

The central defender who has been released by Stoke City, has already represented his country at Under 19 level nine times, games which were all played on foreign soil.

Cotterill said: "He is more or less on trial but up to now he has done very well."