ACCRINGTON Stanley assistant manager Jimmy Bell hopes Terry Gornell can continue his fine form by giving former Reds defender Tom Lees a torrid time at Bury tomorrow.

Lees spent last season on loan at Stanley from Leeds, impressing as a regular at right back, and has reverted to his natural position in the centre of defence since joining Bury on a temporary deal until January.

Stanley had hoped to bring Lees back to the Crown Ground in the summer and Bell maintains that the 19-year-old is destined for big things.

But the Reds assistant manager hopes Lees finds life tough tomorrow against Gornell, who has four goals in his last four games and was outstanding in Saturday’s 7-4 win against Gillingham.

“As good as Jimmy Ryan, Sean McConville and Andy Parkinson were against Gillingham, I think the performance was down to Terry,” said Bell.

“He was fantastic. It will be a good battle on Saturday and it could be a key to the game.

“I went to watch Bury the other night and Tom was outstanding at centre half.

“He came of age at Accrington. He came to us as a centre half and made his debut there at Oldham.

“At that stage we just felt he was a bit too young at centre half so we quickly switched him to right back. Everyone saw the job he did for us there.

“Tom went back to Leeds and maybe had it in his mind he wanted to play centre half, so possibly when he went out on loan again playing in that position was a big thing for him.

“I spoke to him during the summer but he said the move to Bury all happened very quickly.

“His agent phoned up and said, ‘You’re going to Bury’ and before he knew it he was signing.

“Johnny Bateson has played right back for us this season and he is a different type of player.

“Defensively he still has some things to learn but attacking wise he might possibly offer us a little bit more.

“I wish Tom all the best, but I hope he has a stinker on Saturday!”