More new faces for Accrington Stanley opener (From Lancashire Telegraph)

More new faces for Accrington Stanley opener

10:50am Monday 13th August 2012 in npower League Two

ACCRINGTON Stanley boss Paul Cook was content with his side’s performance in their League Cup tie at Carlisle on Saturday – and revealed that Padraig Amond is due to complete his return to the club this week.

Stanley were beaten 1-0 by in the first round clash at Brunton Park but Cook took encouragement from his side’s performance against League One opposition.

And the Reds boss is now hoping to strengthen his squad further before the opening game of the League Two season at Southend at the weekend.

Striker Amond, who spent last season on loan at Stanley, has now reached an agreement to leave Portuguese side Pacos de Ferreira. A goalkeeper is also high on Cook’s priority list.

“We’ve put a new squad together and I can’t sing my lads’ praises high enough, not for getting beat because that’s something we don’t like and the mentality will change,” Cook said. “But sometimes you can only do your best.

“We’ve got Padraig Amond coming in this week and we’ve got one or two other signings coming in that we’d like to think will affect us well. Carlisle finished sixth or seventh last year in League One and in the second half we controlled the game.

“I’ve got very good belief in this group of players.”

Stanley handed a debut to substitute Adam Dawson, a 19-year-old forward who arrived on loan from Wigan on the morning of the game.

The Reds take on Bolton in a friendly at the Crown Ground tonight at 7pm. Both clubs are expected to field youthful sides for the game.