A RED-HOT Leighton McGivern will give any defence nightmares, according to Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman.

The 23-year-old has extended his contract with Stanley, keeping him at the Fraser Eagle Stadium until the end of the season.

The Liverpudlian's appearances have been limited in an injury-hit season, with just one start and a further four games off the bench, but Coleman is desperate to keep the livewire striker in his forward pack.

"We've agreed a deal to keep Leighton McGivern here until the end of the season, because his contract was up in January, so I'm happy with that," said the Reds manager.

"Leighton has got a good eye for goal and the games he played in the reserves, he's been superb and scored a lot of goals.

"The times he's come on and played for the first-team, he's always been a handful.

"We are working on his fitness and his sharpness, and when we get a sharp Leighton McGivern buzzing around the box, I don't think you'll find many defenders wanting to play against him."

Roscoe Dsane and Paul Mullin have been Coleman's favoured strike duo this term, but the Stanley manager insists that a fully-fit McGivern, who joined the club 12 months ago, is always in his thinking.

He added: "It's an option we've got and we never rule it out."