MATTY Pearson has dismissed talk of a move away from Accrington Stanley as the Reds gear up for their League Two opener next weekend.

The defender has been linked with a host of clubs in the past few weeks and Reds chairman Andy Holt admitted on social media that the club would not stand in his way if a suitable offer from a club higher up the Football League pyramid came in for the 23-year-old.

But Pearson is focussing on football rather than transfers ahead of Stanley's final pre-season clash of the summer at Southport this afternoon.

And the former FC Halifax man told the Lancashire Telegraph he has not held talks with any other club and that his focus is on helping John Coleman's side to promotion in 2017-18.

He said: "I am an Accrington player and I imagine I will be an Accrington player for this season.

"I will give my all for the club and I am just concentrating on myself and getting ready for the season. All I want to do is play football."

Pearson is contracted at the Wham Stadium until next summer but put in a host of stellar performances last season to attract interest from elsewhere.

The summer speculation prompted Reds chief Holt to release a series of tweets this week clarifying the club's stance on the player.

They read: "I have told Matty Pearson that if a sensible bid is made for him that furthers his playing career, the club will let him go.

"Matty has been magnificent for us and it would not be right to block his progress if the right opportunity arises.

"A move for Matty is not what John (Coleman) and Jimmy (Bell) want, they feel our chances are much improved if he stays.

"There has to be a balance in these instances, how do we attract talent if we are not prepared to let those that do well progress?

"There have been bids from three clubs that have been below what we see as fair compensation."

Pearson, meanwhile, is set to start for the Reds at Southport this afternoon ahead of the big kick off against Colchester next week.

And he is determined to help Stanley record their first victory of the summer after defeats to Huddersfield Town and Preston North End and draws with Oldham Athletic and Everton Under-23s.

"We need to win the game," said Pearson of the trip to the National League North side.

"We've had some tough tests in pre-season so far and I think we have enough fitness now, it's about results.

"We need to get back to winning ways and carry that through to the Colchester game."

Pearson, who has made more than 100 appearances for the Reds since joining the club in 2015, is targeting a promotion push this time around after the club narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season.

"I go into every game looking to win it and we go into the season looking to win the league," he added.

"We've got some good players and last season we went on a great run and just missed the play-offs.

"We want to start the season well and that means winning on Saturday and getting that momentum going."