ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman is hopeful of completing his first signing since promotion this week.

The Reds boss is on the hunt for a goalkeeper after losing out-of-contract Aaron Chapman to Peterborough United earlier this month.

But in addition Coleman is keen to strengthen the spine of the team as they prepare for life in League One.

Unlike previous years the Stanley chief has the relative security of having the bulk of his squad under longer-term contracts, with League Two Golden Boot winner Billy Kee committed to the club until 2021.

The striker last season signed a three-year extension on top of the existing two-year deal he had previously penned - the longest contract ever handed out by Accrington Stanley.

In addition, experienced defender Mark Hughes signed a two-year deal last summer, along with Janoi Donacien, captain Seamus Conneely, while midfielder Sean McConville is also contracted to the summer of 2019.

That has taken some of the pressure off when it comes to recruitment this time around.

But while quantity is not a concern, Coleman is keen to add quality, and is hopeful of having the bulk of his squad in place in time for pre-season training.

“I’ve got one coming this week I think,” said the Stanley boss. “It’s pleasing that we’ve got so many lads tied up on longer contracts so it makes my job a little bit easier. It helps. We’ve got some good players.

“But you’ve still got to get players in. There’s a couple that we’ve identified that might improve us. I just know I’ve got to strengthen.”

Coleman spent the Bank Holiday weekend at Wembley for the Championship, League One and League Two play-off finals.

“I had a chance to view the standard of League One at Wembley the other day,” he said.

“That’s the standard we’ve got to aspire to.”

But while Coleman is conscious of finding players who are capable of playing at a higher level, he insists the type of character he is looking for has not changed.

“We’re looking for the same type of person,” said the Stanley chief.

“You’ve got to have a different mindset and a different motivation, or sense of motivation, if you’re going to be able to compete well for Accrington. We can’t offer them riches, we can’t motivate them with money. And I don’t really like players who are motivated by money.”