MATT Crooks says he would love to see out the season with Accrington Stanley — and end it with promotion.

The 21-year-old midfielder has been one of a handful of figures of transfer speculation within the Reds squad, with forward Josh Windass a notable other.

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But a year on from first joining the club on loan from Huddersfield, Crooks says he pays no attention to the gossip about him moving on.

His only focus is on football and picking up the points to keep John Coleman’s side challenging in League Two.

“It would be incredible if the club got promoted. We’ve definitely got the squad to do it,” said Crooks ahead of tonight’s reunion with former club Hartlepool at the Wham Stadium (7.45pm kick-off).

“It would be mental. It would be a good party!

“And it would be good to have on your CV, especially somewhere like here which is always put down as a small club.

“Shaun Derry (the Cambridge manager) said at the weekend in terms of fans and the history of the club it’s a big club for this league.

“But we are looked on as a small club, and with the smallest budget it would be good to go up.

“We’re in a nice position and we could be a couple of places above.”

And Crooks believes that what was a good start for Stanley is turning into a good season.

“We’re as confident as we can be that we’ll be able to do that. We’ve got the players to do it,” he said.

“If players get injured or suspended we’ve got players who can come in and do a job for us.

“Whoever’s playing we’re more than confident we can beat teams and stay up there.”

Stanley showed great resolve to come back from behind to beat Cambridge on Saturday and secure a fourth win from five unbeaten games.

The Reds trailed 2-1 at the break, but Crooks said a combination of their will to win and confidence in their ability got them maximum points.

“We know we’ve got the players who can create opportunities and openings to score goals, but from the ‘keeper to the strikers and the subs we all want to win so we all just push on and drive on to get chances and try to take them.”

As for the paper talk, Crooks added: “It’s just chatter on Twitter. I’m just playing football.

“It’s better than stick. It’s nice to see nice stuff put about you, but I don’t really pay attention to it.

“As long as I’m playing then I’m happy. I want to win games and it would be a great success for football and for this club if we got promoted. It would be something I’d be proud to be a part of.”