LIAM Goulding hopes to force his way into the Accrington Stanley defence next season after signing a new one-year contract with the club.

The 19-year-old former youth team captain is yet to make his first-team debut for Stanley but impressed sufficiently in a loan spell with non-league side Witton Albion to earn a new 12-month deal at the Store First Stadium.

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Defenders Rob Atkinson, Nicky Hunt and Michael Liddle have all departed Stanley since the end of the season, while Lloyd Jones has returned to Liverpool at the end of a loan and Tom Aldred also left in January.

That has left gaps to fill in the Reds’ back line and Goulding hopes to take advantage.

“There are a few big players that have left the club recently in my position and I hope that can be a way in for me and a chance to prove myself,” Goulding said.

“I’m really feeling the benefit of going out on loan. I needed games and experience and I got that last season.

“I think I played about 30-odd games and I think I’ve developed and come on as a result and hopefully I can push for a place back at Accrington now.

“I’ve got that experience now and I’m another year older. I’ve got physically bigger so hopefully I’m more ready in that respect now too.

“I was still training here every day and then playing for Witton so I know the players here and the management and what they ask for.

“I’ve had that chance to train with them but the extra bonus of playing regularly too.”

Goulding is the latest young prospect to commit his future to Stanley and will be joined by new professionals in Max Hazeldine, Keenan Quansah and Kealan Steenson in the first team squad next season.

Manager John Coleman has already signed the youthful Tom Davies, Matty Pearson and Adam Morgan this summer.

“It’s exciting to hear the manager say that he wants young, hungry players next season,” Goulding said.

“I think that means that younger lads will get chances and hopefully I can be one of them. It’s just about me taking that chance when it comes my way.

“Pre-season is a big time for me. I’m hoping to come back fitter than ever and ready to go. I’ve then got to see what happens in the pre-season games and hopefully I’ll get the chance to impress at some point.”