ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman believes the strength in depth he has at his disposal has been a key factor in their upturn in League One form, writes KELHAM HILTON.

The Reds’ run of strong results saw them go five games unbeaten in December, a sequence which saw Coleman pick up the Manager of the Month award.

With injuries to a number of key men during the campaign, players on the cusp of the matchday squad have been given an opportunity.

And unlike the last campaign, players who’ve come and in and done well have tended to keep their shirt.

“I haven’t put recognised people back in which is probably what I have done in the past,” said Coleman.

“I think that has added to the competition, it has put everyone on their toes.

“I think the difference this year, is that if people have come in and done well, I have let them keep the shirt.

“It is something I think that needed to be done this season in order to hang on to the squad, that doesn’t mean I am going to carry doing that.

“But I just think, at the time, the situation we were playing in everyone needed to be valued in the squad and I think we are definitely seeing that now.”

One of the big-hitters who’ll be missing for this weekend’s trip to Ipswich Town is winger Sean McConville.

Stanley’s talisman had successful surgery on his ruptured Achilles on Tuesday, but the injury he sustained on New Years Day will keep him out for the season.

Although McConville now can’t make a contribution on the pitch, his manager believes he can still have a big role off it.

We’re happy with the way it (the operation) has gone”, said Coleman.

“It’s now down to Sean to put in the hard yards and he is up for the fight if he wants to get back to the level he was playing at before.

“He has got to do a lot of hard work and I think he is prepared to do that.

“He said he wants to be a big part the final push of the season and I hope we’ll be seeing him as soon as he can walk.”

There was good news for Stanley on Wednesday, when Sadou Diallo extended his loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The midfielder has joined Aji Alese and Jordan Opoku in committing his future to the Reds until the end of the campaign.

And Coleman has revealed he is always looking for ways he can improve the squad.

“You’re always in transition, you are always trying to enhance your squad and that will never change,” he added.

“Whether we have to do it this January or in the summer that remains to be seen but you are always trying to get better.

“I have got used to that (players going elsewhere) quite early on in my career. You get used to that. To be honest I have become more tolerant over the last couple of years.”