ACCRINGTON Stanley are hoping to hand a debut to a new striker in tomorrow’s friendly at FC Halifax Town.

Stanley face the former Football League club – now in UniBond First Division North following financial problems – at the Shay at 3pm and are optimistic of completing a protracted deal to sign a League One forward on a long-term loan in time for the match.

“We’ve got to start realising how important it is to score goals to take pressure off the defence,” said manager John Coleman.

“If we’d scored more goals last season, there was a chance we could have made the play-offs.

“That’s something we’ve got to address. Hopefully we’ve got another player coming in and competition will hot up.”

Stanley could be set to miss out on a deal to bring former loan centre back Kieran Charnock back to the club.

Peterborough director of football Barry Fry has said that a deal had previously been agreed but he is not prepared to wait any longer.

Stanley are still in talks with Liverpool about a possible deal to bring forward Craig Lindfield back to the club on loan.

Former Lincoln striker Gary King, who has been on trial with Stanley, appeared for non-league Boston United in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday.