ACCRINGTON Stanley are hopeful of defender Michael Ihiekwe returning to the club for a second loan spell but striker Luke Charman will not be coming back to the Wham Stadium.

The Reds are also keen to re-sign Bolton's Connor Hall for a second loan spell but uncertainty around the financial situation at the University of Bolton Stadium means that deal is up in the air.

Rotherham's Ihiekwe featured 23 times for the Reds in the first half of the season before returning to the New York Stadium but he was cup tied for the Millers' FA Cup thrashing at Manchester City having featured for Stanley in the early rounds.

"We are waiting to find out this week and we are keen to bring him back and hopeful," said Reds boss John Coleman of the 26-year-old.

The Stanley chief confirmed that Charman will not be returning to East Lancashire having suffered an injury hit spell with the Reds, but Coleman is keen to bring back Hall, who cannot feature for anyone other than Accrington or Bolton this term having played for both already this season.

Players are prevented from featuring for three teams in a single season and Hall, who was on the bench for Bolton's FA Cup win over Walsall on Saturday, played for the Trotters in the Carabao Cup in August.

"We were hoping to get him back but it is up in in the air at the moment with Bolton and the financial situation so we don't know," said Coleman of the 20-year-old.

The Reds boss remains keen to strengthen his squad with left back a priority. Newcastle United youngster Liam Gibson remains a target and Stanley are believed to be closing in on a deal for the 21-year-old.

On potential new arrivals the Accrington chief, who said he had not received any enquiries for any of his players so far this window, said: "Left back is the priority. We are trying to get players in as we speak but it is a slow process."

Will Wood, fresh from a loan spell at Havant & Waterlooville, could start at left back in tonight's Checkatrade Trophy tie with Bury while Erico Sousa, who has returned from his loan spell at Barrow, is also available.