LEAM Richardson and Chris King were among the players present as Accrington Stanley returned for the first day of pre-season training yesterday.

A number of last year’s squad are yet to pen new deals and there have been doubts about whether full backs Richardson and King would be staying at the club, with both offered contracts heavily based on appearances after injury problems.

But it now seems increasingly likely that they will stay.

Assistant manager Jimmy Bell said: “It looks like Leam is going to sign.

“We just need to sort out a few things with Chris.”

A number of trialists were present, including former Macclesfield and Droylsden striker Matt Tipton as well as Luke Powell and Lewis Field – released by Everton and Wigan respectively – and ex-Lincoln midfielder Gary King.