CAPTAIN Peter Cavanagh has urged Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman to sign top quality names this summer after committing himself to the Reds.

Cavanagh yesterday ended speculation surrounding his future by penning a new one-year deal at the Fraser Eagle Stadium.

The 25-year-old full-back, who has made 247 Stanley appearances since joining in August 2001, insists he always wanted to stay in East Lancashire after helping to secure the club's Football League status.

And now having agreed a new contract, Cavanagh is hoping to see a batch of new signings at Accrington during the close season.

He will have two new team-mates this morning, with Coleman set to unveil his first signings of the summer, a midfielder and a striker with Football League experience.

"I've said that I always wanted to stay at Accrington," revealed Cavanagh. "Sometimes these things take time.

"The gaffer went away for a couple of days, and obviously he was having to make a few phone calls. These things do tend to go on, but I'm pleased that it's all sorted out.

"I like to play as high as I possibly can. I'm now just looking forward to us signing some decent players in the summer.

"Hopefully, it will be the kind of players that will see us challenging at the top end of the table, rather than in a relegation battle."

Coleman is pursuing the option of bringing back Liverpool pair Godwin Antwi and David Martin following their successful loan spells last season.

Centre-back Antwi, 18, and goalkeeper Martin, 20, proved a revelation during their two-month stints, and Cavanagh admits he would like to see the young Liverpool duo back for another loan spell.

Cavanagh added: "We want players who are going to take us forward, players like Godwin and David.

"I'm not sure whether we'll be able to bring David back on loan, but I spoke to Godwin on the phone and he said he would like to come back if it was possible. They fit in with our mentality and are good characters to have around."

This summer, Coleman has decided not to renew the contracts of Michael Welch, Mauro Almeida and Sean Doherty, while winger Andy Todd has joined League Two rivals Rotherham.

"Andy Todd did well during the short time he was here," said Cavanagh. "I'm sorry to see him go, but I'm sure the manager is looking to bring in the right players.

"We are in a similar situation to a lot of teams. Big clubs are always circling for good talent. Unfortunately, a couple of our players moved on during last season, and brought a bit of money into the club, and big clubs are always looking for the next one."

Having endured the anguish of a relegation battle, Cavanagh believes Stanley should be setting their sights higher next season.

He added: "I would say there's a chance of the play-offs. When we came up from the Conference last year, I thought we could challenge for the play-offs, but things conspired against us."