ACCRINGTON Stanley caretaker manager Leam Richardson says he will take advice from departed boss John Coleman as he looks to continue the club’s good form and secure the job on a permanent basis.

Richardson was put in caretaker charge following the departure of long-serving Coleman and his assistant Jimmy Bell to Rochdale almost two weeks ago.

The 32-year-old has a close relationship with the pair, having been part of the playing squad at the Crown Ground since 2005.

Stanley and Rochdale saw their games called off at the weekend, but both Richardson and Coleman started their tenures with victories a week earlier. Accrington have now lost just one of their last 12 games.

“When I was put in charge John and Jimmy were on the phone straight away,” Richardson said.

“They were on the phone before the Gillingham game, after the game, during the game. They were phoning me on transfer deadline day for numbers too!

“I will keep close contact with them, obviously as a friend, and they were here a long time and know the club as well as I do.

“In the changing room after the Gillingham game we had our post-match talk and then the telly came on, and the first result we looked for was Rochdale.”

Will Hatfield, who had a loan spell with Stanley earlier in the season, is back training with the club. The 20-year-old midfielder has been turning out for Blue Square Bet North side FC Halifax Town since his release from Leeds.