ACCRINGTON Stanley fans will get the chance to see new signing Mike Marsh for the first time at the Crown Ground when a Blackburn Rovers XI visit tomorrow.

The Rovers side will include Ewood out-of-favour striker Egil Ostenstad, and several youngsters who are looking to make an impact in the first team this season including Darren Dunning, Jerome Watts and Gordon Greer.

But all the Reds eyes will be on former Liverpool, West Ham and Coventry midfielder Marsh who could be the man to help propel Stanley into the Nationwide Conference this season.

Manager John Coleman, who is without his other new signing Mark Sertori who is on holiday, says he is impressed with 31-year-old Marsh.

"Mike has looked good in training, he has mixed in with the lads and has a great attitude.

"Only time will tell but I think he will be good for us."

Marsh, who was at Conference champions Boston last season, admits he has settled at Stanley.

"I have done all the pre-season so far and am looking forward to the start of the season," said Marsh, who is gearing up to face Runcorn on the opening day of the campaign at the Crown Ground on August 17.

"They are a lively bunch of lads and I am glad to be involved.

"I wouldn't have joined Accrington if I didn't think we had a good chance of winning the league.

"I was offered the chance to join Burscough as manager and although I would like to go into coaching and management, Burscough don't have the ambitions of Accrington.

"I must admit before I came here what I knew of Accrington was the milk advert from a few years ago.

"I know they are founder members of the Football League but I don't think that advert did them any favours!

"But they won three trophies last year so obviously they have got a lot of talent in the team.

"We just need to do it on a regular basis and hopefully with mine and now Mark Sertori's experience, we can win the league."

Michael Merrick, a 19-year-old centre back released from Norwich City in March, will make his debut for Stanley as he bids to impress Coleman.

And it will be something of a reunion for Rovers midfielder Steve Flitcroft, who left Ewood Park last season. He will be up against plenty of the familiar faces he came through the ranks at Rovers with.

Despite the Reds taking part in two friendlies - Fulwood Amateurs on Tuesday and Fleetwood last night - this is Stanley's first game against higher opposition and the Reds boss will give first team players a longer run-out to get them prepared for the coming season.

"The first real test is Runcorn as I don't set a lot of store by friendly results," said the Crown Ground chief. "I do not really like friendlies as it is hard for the players - whether they get stuck in or take it easy - they have got to get the balance right.

"But we want a competitive game and the problem with Blackburn bringing kids is that they are very fit and can run you ragged!

"I know the first teamers are away on tour but it will be nice if a good crowd turns out to cheer our lads on."

The cost is £5 for adults and £3 concessions. Kick off is 3pm.

The Rovers squad is: Renton, McNamee, Hockenhull, Donnelly, Greer, Bruce, Corbett, Dunning, Ostenstad, Richards, O'Brien, Watts, Stevenson, Nelson, Bell, Taylor.

BURNLEY will bring a team to the Crown Ground on Monday night where the Reds should get another good test. The Clarets first team will back from the Isle of Man by then.