LEAM Richardson will be given more time to stake his claim for the vacant Accrington Stanley job – even though the Reds are in talks with Sligo over boss Paul Cook.

Stanley told Richardson earlier in the week that he would be handed the job full time if he continues to impress as caretaker manager and the postponement of today’s match at Crewe, because of a frozen pitch at Gresty Road, means a decision is unlikely in the next few days.

The Reds, who are back in action at home to Oxford next weekend, have however been in discussions with Irish club Sligo over the possibility of speaking to Cook and know they need to develop a back-up plan in case results suffer a downturn.

Stanley are thought to have a tentative shortlist of names they would consider in that eventuality, but Richardson remains the first choice providing he is able to build on a win over Gillingham in his first game in charge.

Cook, a former Burnley midfielder who spent previously time as a player-coach at Stanley, is known to be keen on a return to England after guiding Sligo to victory in the FAI Cup in each of the last two seasons.

Sligo are unlikely to stand in his way, having allowed him to speak to St Johnstone and Derry in recent months.

Stanley would be required to pay compensation, though, should they eventually decide they want to appoint Cook.

It was reported that Sligo agreed a figure of around £30,000 with St Johnstone in October before the Liverpudlian opted to turn down the move.