JOHN Coleman is set to make a dramatic return to Accrington Stanley for a second spell in charge of the Reds, more than two and a half years after leaving.

The 51-year-old is expected to be unveiled as James Beattie’s successor today, with Jimmy Bell also going back to the Crown Ground as his assistant.

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It is understood the duo have finalised their exits at Sligo Rovers just three months after taking charge of the League of Ireland club on a rolling 12-month contract.

Beattie left Stanley by mutual consent on Friday night.

Stanley went on to win their home game with AFC Wimbledon under interim manager Paul Stephenson, but they fell to a 3-1 defeat at Oxford United last night, with James Gray sent off.

Although it is understood contracts have not yet been signed, Coleman and Bell are expected to be in charge of Stanley’s game away to Northampton on Saturday.

In almost 13 years at the Stanley helm the duo guided the Reds from the UniBond First Division back into the Football League, famously winning promotion from the Conference in 2006.

Not only did they sustain their position with the 92 teams, Stanley went on to reach the League Two play-offs in the 2010/11 under their watch.

Coleman and Bell left in January 2012 to take charge of Rochdale.

However, they were not to enjoy success at Spotland as Coleman suffered his first relegation in management.

A return to League Two and poor run from November into the New Year led to their sacking almost a year after their appointment.

While Bell earned a coaching role at Port Vale, Coleman spent almost a year out of the game before returning to management with Conference club Southport in December 2013.

But he left the Sandgrounders in April this year.

He went on to join Sligo a month later, with a Europa League clash with FK Banga in Lithuania one of his first fixtures.

A 4-0 aggregate win earned them a second round tie with Rosenborg, losing 4-3 on aggregate.