ACCRINGTON Stanley's transition from part-time to full-time football will be put to the test for the first time tomorrow.

The Reds entertain Burton Albion in the opening match of the new Nationwide Conference campaign.

For some, it will be their first meaningful 90 minutes as professional footballers.

And manager John Coleman is counting down to kick-off.

"I'm happy that we've got a home game to start with and hopefully we can make it count because we were quite good at home last season.

"Hopefully we can carry that on this season," said the Reds manager, who admitted he isn't overly concerned by what, on paper, may be seen as a difficult start with trips to Morecambe and Stevenage following hot on the heels of tomorrow's opener (kick-off 3pm).

"You can't govern who you play and you've got to play everybody during the course of the season," he said.

"It won't be an easy game but I'm sure our lads are right up for it."

And Coleman says he won't read too much into Stanley's final two pre-season friendlies, which resulted in a 1-0 defeat at Southport and surrendering the VMI Trophy to neighbours Great Harwood after losing 3-0 on penalties on Monday night.

"I think what's happened in the last week or so might turn out to be a good thing. I think everyone's keyed up for the game now," he said.

"I was very pleased on Monday with the enthusiasm that we showed, even though we didn't score a goal. And I think whatever happens tomorrow won't be through the want of trying, won't be for the want of being professional or the want of enthusiasm.

"I've just got to believe that the quality we've got will be enough to see us through, and at the moment I think it is.

"But I still think there are areas we need to improve on and we're still looking at that now."

Coleman revealed loan signings could play a key part in boosting the squad throughout the season, especially as Andy Procter and Rory Prendergast, who will miss the first two games through suspension, are both injured.

"I don't really like loan signings. I think I've only ever had three at the most, including Stuart Bimson now," he said.

"It gives people opportunities for us to look at them and them to look at us. But I think if you're going to make loan signings it should be with a view to signing them permanently and not just for the sake of it.

"It might be, though, that I have to use them more this season, especially with us being full-time."

He added: "The transition from part-time to full-time was always going to be difficult.

"I spoke to the TNS (Welsh League team, Total Network Solutions) manager last year, because they made the same switch, and they found that it was physically very demanding on the players.

"They picked up a lot of injuries that they wouldn't normally expect, only because the workload was a bit heavier because they were doing it full-time.

"And we've been keen to temper our own enthusiasm and not do too much. But, having said that, the lads have got through a hell of a lot of work so far and they will continue to do so.

"I'm happy with what we've done in pre-season. I'd just like us to start scoring goals, and hopefully that will happen tomorrow."