ACCRINGTON Stanley are confident that a change in wage structure, designed to reduce payments to injured players, will not affect their ability to strengthen their squad this summer.

Stanley are thought to have the lowest budget in the Football League and have suffered from a lengthy injury list this season.

Manager John Coleman is set to have discussions with a number of existing players this week about new deals for next season and he will also be keen to bring in new players.

And the club have decided to change their wage structure, reducing the level of basic pay but increasing win and goal bonuses.

Chief executive Rob Heys said: “We’re looking at ways of lowering the basic wage but rewarding players more for scoring goals and winning games.

“It’s just a case of moving away from the liabilities of having to pay a lot of money when we have long-term injuries.

“But we don’t think new players will be put off by it, because we’re looking to attract players who want to play every game.

“It’s not that we’re looking to avoid paying people, because we want the team to do well and if it does they will be rewarded.

“If they do well, hopefully the gates will improve and we will be able to afford to pay more.”

Coleman and assistant manager Jimmy Bell are set to start talks this week about new contracts of their own, as they reach the end of their existing three-year deals.

“With everything going on at the club we’ve not had chance, but we will probably sit down with them this week,” said Heys.

“The length of the contract will depend on what we think we can offer and what John is open to, but I don’t think you can fault what he’s done here and where he’s taken us.

"Hopefully we can continue that progress.”