ACCRINGTON Stanley are facing a continuing battle against finances in their bid to bring in new players for next season.

Stanley have confirmed an interest in a number of players but they are expected to again have the lowest budget in the Football League after financial restrictions forced the wage bill to be cut by 25 per cent.

The Reds are chasing former loan strikers Craig Lindfield and Michael Symes as well as fellow front man Gregg Blundell, who also had a temporary spell with Stanley last season and is interesting old club Chester after his release by Darlington.

In addition, Stanley are keen to sign another former loan man Kieran Charnock, although Peterborough are understood to be holding out for cash despite the Reds’ inability to pay transfer fees.

Fellow ex-Stanley defenders Godwin Antwi, who has been released by Liverpool, and Darran Kempson, who still has a year left on his contract at Wrexham, are others on the radar.

“We’ve spoken to Barry Fry about Kieran but it comes down to finances,” said Stanley assistant boss Jimmy Bell, who has spent the past week in Belfast completing his A licence coaching qualification.

“We wouldn’t be able to offer Kieran what he was on last season.

“Godwin is available and we have spoken to him, although again it will come down to money.

“Darran Kempson is more difficult because he has 12 months left on his contract so we’d have to put something to Wrexham that they’d have to accept.

“We are interested in Gregg Blundell but I don’t know what the chances are.

“With the budget we have it’s really difficult. The first thing players want to know is how much money we can offer them.

“A lot of them will look elsewhere and then maybe come back to you or maybe not.”

Bell expects goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin to come to an agreement over a new deal, although Stanley are unlikely to sign up Peter Cavanagh or Robbie Williams for next season until the outcome of their FA betting hearing – currently expected next month.

Youngsters Bee Ami and Alan Burton have agreed first-year professional contracts.