ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman risked losing Gary Roberts and Ian Craney for Friday's trip to Gravesend and Northfleet if he failed to make the duo available for tonight's National Game XI European Challenge Trophy game with Italy.

Coleman wanted to withdraw his midfielders from the non-league international side to avoid risking injury to either of them as the Conference leaders' run-in gathers steam.

But he was forced to change his mind when the Football Association said they would seek to enforce a FIFA regulation to put a block on Roberts and Craney playing for Stanley on Friday night.

Coleman said: "It's been very frustrating but there's no point bleating about it - you have to get on with it.

"I wasn't aware they (the FA) could stop them playing on Friday. We just have to wait and see if sense prevails tonight."

An FA spokesman said: "There is a clause that we can invoke - at whatever level - if there is no genuine reason why a player couldn't join up with the squad.

"The way the players are treated, and the set-up, is very professional and the manager, Paul Fairclough, wouldn't take any chances with a player that wasn't fit.

"It's the pinnacle of achievement for any player outside the Football League to play for the national side - albeit perhaps not for much longer at Accrington.

"But it's a great opportunity for the players."

Roberts could make his debut for the National Game XI side at Cambridge United tonight after failing to make the final cut from the initial 22-man squad for the last game against Belgium last year.

And central midfielder Craney hopes this is the last time any Accrington Stanley player is eligible for selection for this team - because that would mean the Reds had made history by returning to the Football League.

"Me and Gary only found out quite late that we would be meeting up with the squad, but we're happy to be here because it's a great experience," he said.

"The next game is scheduled for November, so hopefully if we get promoted this will be the last time we can be involved."