ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman hopes his latest signing can match the impact of Dan Barlaser.

Tom Allan has joined the Reds on a season long loan from Newcastle United to become the club's third summer signing so far.

It is two years since midfielder Barlaser arrived on a similar deal from the Premier League Magpies, and had a positive impact on Stanley's first season in League One.

Coleman says the Reds have gone on to establish a good relationship with Newcastle, and is excited by what Allan can offer the team in the forthcoming season.

The versatile 20-year-old will add to the Reds’ attacking options following the departure of Jordan Clark to Luton Town, and with Sean McConville recovering from an Achilles injury.

Coleman labelled Allan a player who will “excite the fans”, and feels he will be a good fit for the club.

“Tom is someone we have known about for a while,” said the Stanley boss. “Losing Jordan and with Sean being out for a little bit, we needed more attacking options.

“The fact he can play wide or up front is a bonus. Tom is very quick and energetic and will excite the fans and the type of football we want to play this season is going to be very high energy, high octane, and he ticks all the boxes.

“He is a great lad as well, everyone speaks highly of him and hopefully he will hit the ground running.

“We have started to build a good relationship with Newcastle United and hopefully he can have the same success that Dan Barlaser had here.

“This is a chance for him to kick start his career and play proper men’s football.”

Born in Newcastle, Allan joined the Magpies in 2012 from junior football and progressed through the ranks, and is highly rated at St James’ Park.

The youngster started as a winger but he has also played up front, scoring 17 goals last season for the Under 23s and captaining the side.

He made his Newcastle debut in their FA Cup third round replay in January against Rochdale in the FA Cup third round replay in January and has trained regularly with the first team.

Now he is relishing the opportunity of taking the next step in his career as he seeks to make his debut in league football and become a regular in the Stanley first team.

“I can’t wait to get started," said Allan.

"Now is the time to make the step up and get some games under my belt in league football.

“Hopefully I can keep progressing and keep up the goalscoring from last season.

“I rely on raw pace, I like getting in behind, running at people, I scored quite a few goals last year and hopefully I can do that this year and add to the team.”

Allan added that he sounded out Barlaser before completing his loan move.

“When I first heard Accrington were interested I did speak to Dan Barlaser and he couldn’t speak highly enough of the club," he continued.

"It’s a great set up and great set of lads and the manager was keen so it was perfect really.

Allan completes a hat-trick of Stanley signings so far this summer, after securing defender Cameron Burgess on a permanent deal and Ryan Cassidy on loan from Watford.