CHARLIE Barnett is expected to commit his future to Accrington Stanley today – as boss John Coleman now steps up efforts to boost his side’s firepower.

Coleman expects the central midfielder to sign a new deal at the Crown Ground today but knows he has plenty of work still do to bring strikers to the club before the start of the season.

Kurtis Guthrie and Craig Lindfield have been added to the ranks this summer but, with Terry Gornell and Jimmy Ryan now departed, Coleman is still looking to add goals to his side.

Stanley defender Dean Winnard was used as an emergency centre forward in Tuesday’s 1-0 friendly win at Cammell Laird, leaving Coleman desperate to find some more orthodox forward players.

He said: “Dean Winnard did well up front on Tuesday night You will never fault him for attitude and work rate. He did really well.

"It was an emergency because we didn’t have any strikers. Our priority now is we have to bring in some forward players.

“I have got to hope I am going to have joy on that front soon or else I am going in with centre halves, not centre forwards.

“Charlie will be signing a new deal on Thursday. He was one of those we offered a new deal straight at the end of last season.

"The more games he plays he will only get better. I have know for a while that Charlie wanted to stay.”

Coleman is also ready to start making final decisions on the host of trialists he has run the rule over, as preparation step up a gear ahead of the big League Two kick off.