Accrington Stanley new boy Sam Sherring admitted he did his research on the Reds before putting pen to paper on a season-long loan from Championship side Bournemouth.

However, one player the defender did not have to run the rule over was former Cherries teammate Matt Butcher who has helped him settle in to his new surroundings.

“I did some research when I knew I had the interest,” said the 21-year-old. “I watched some games to look at the style of play so I can take to it easier.

“Hopefully it will be a seamless transition and I can kick on as soon as possible.”

Sherring has teamed back up again with Butcher, who he knows from Bournemouth, and his aim is to make a big impact in the Stanley first team – and is hoping to be involved in Saturday’s clash at Crewe.

“Butch is a good guy, he has helped me settle in training,” he told the club website. “That’s always a positive.

“I came up yesterday evening and seeing the stadium, it’s really nice and I can’t wait to get going.”

Sherring has been with the Cherries since he was seven-years-old and has come through their Academy system.

He was on loan at Weymouth, where he played 37 games as they were crowned Southern League champions in 2018/19, and at Torquay last season, playing 45 games and scoring twice in their promotion charge before they lost to Hartlepool in the play-off final.

“I have been at Bournemouth since I was seven, a long time, and been on loan at Weymouth and Torquay in non-league the last few years and now I am looking forward to stepping up to League One and hopefully doing well here,” he added.

“I am a defender, I like to think I can play left or right centre half, or right back. I like to think I am quite comfortable on the ball, just a defender first and foremost, get clean sheets and be solid and work from there.

“I scored a few goals last season and hopefully I can score a few this season but I want to defend first and anything else is a bonus.

“League One is a big league, there are a lot of big teams in it, and the lads have done well already to start and hopefully I can come in and help keep that going and have a good season."

Reds boss John Coleman is glad to strengthen his squad but is now looking to bring in more players before the transfer window closes. He said: “Sam played a lot of games for Torquay last year, so he’s well-versed in men’s football and he gives us more strength in depth.

“Hopefully go into the squad for Saturday, but we still want to bring in one or two more additions.”