JOHN Coleman expects to be working with a smaller squad at Stanley next season – with striker Offrande Zanzala the latest to be released by the club.

Zanzala managed eight goals in what was an injury hit season, taking him to 15 in all competitions since joining from Derby County, initially on loan, in January 2018.

However, the 23-year-old joins Dimi Evtimov, Phil Edwards, Zaine Francis-Angol, Wilson Carvalho and Erico De Sousa who had previously been released by the club.

“That has been a difficult decision,” said boss Coleman.

“We could have kept Ozzy another season but he is getting to the crossroads of his career where he needs to be playing regular football and we respect that. Ozzy is a great lad.”

Youngsters Lewis Doyle, Lewis Gilboy, Alex O’Neill, Andrew Scott and Matty Williams have also been released by the Reds.

Elsewhere, Stanley have offered a contract to star winger Jordan Clark whose deal expires next week.

The former Barnsley man has been a consistent performer for the Reds in his near 200 appearances for the club across four years which has seen him develop a reputation as one of the stand-out wingers in the third tier.

Clark is likely to assess his options but it is expected the 26-year-old will move on this summer.

In better news, captain Seamus Conneely has signed a new two-year deal while options have been taken on defenders Callum Johnson, Ben Barclay, Mark Hughes, Joe Maguire, Harvey Rodgers and Harry Perritt.

A host of loanees returned to their parent clubs when the League One season was curtailed earlier this month, as Stanley finished their season in 17th place.

No date has yet been set for when the 2020/21 season will begin, but Coleman admits: “We will be working with a much smaller squad.”

However, positive work on the contract front in recent times does mean that Stanley already have the basis of a good squad under contract.

As well as Conneely, and the six players whose options have been taken up, already under contract are: Sean McConville, Ross Sykes, Colby Bishop, Sam Finley, Joe Pritchard, Dion Charles, Lamine Sherif, Toby Savin, Reagan Ogle and Zehn Mohammed.

Gaolkeeper Niall Watson has also been offered a new deal.

A club spokesperson said: “Everyone at Accrington Stanley wishes all those who are leaving all the best in their future careers.”