PAUL Mullin believes brother John has brought a much-needed calmness to the Accrington Stanley midfield this season.

John left Tranmere to join the Reds in the summer and will face his old club in the first round of the FA Cup at the Fraser Eagle Stadium today.

And the 33-year-old former Sunderland and Burnley midfielder’s contribution has been hailed by his older brother, who is playing alongside his sibling for the first time in his career.

“It’s good to play on the same pitch as him,” said 34-year-old Paul, who has been with Stanley for eight seasons.

“He’s been a really good signing for us. He gets on the ball for us and creates a lot of things for us.

“We’ve perhaps missed that at stages last season when we were struggling - someone to put their foot on the ball and control the tempo of the game.

“He’s got a lot of experience so he brings a lot to the squad.”

But the duo’s rugged appearance, together with their distinct lack of hair these days, has led to them being labelled as ‘The Krays’, ‘The Mitchell Brothers’ and ‘Right Said Fred’ by their teammates.

Paul said: “Ronnie and Reggie is the favourite one at the minute! I don’t know which one I am but it’s all good banter.

“John is enjoying it here because there is a good team spirit and the lads are great.”

Last month Paul became the first Stanley player in almost 50 years to reach 100 Football League appearances and manager John Coleman immediately backed him to make 100 more.

The striker hopes he can play on for long enough for that to happen, although he recently joked: “Me and the missus do the lottery and if our numbers come up, I won’t be in training on Monday!”

On a more serious note, he said: “I think I can play another 100 games. Touch wood I can steer clear of injuries. I feel fit and strong and as long as I’m happy and I’m fit, I’ll play for as long as I can.”

If Stanley draw with Tranmere today, the replay will take place at Prenton Park on Tuesday, November 18.

Rochdale boss Keith Hill has hinted that Kallum Higginbotham will return to Spotland when his month’s loan expires after next week’s home game against Bournemouth, although Stanley are still keeping their options open.

Peter Murphy will have surgery on his knee ligament injury today, while Peter Cavanagh will see a specialist in the next few days about his Achilles problem.