ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman confirmed the Reds are interested in bringing Newcastle youngster Liam Gibson to the club.

The left back is out of contract at St James' Park in the summer and is a player Stanley are keen on, either on loan or in a permanent move.

Nick Anderton has been a fixture for Stanley at left back so far this term but his loan deal from Blackpool expires next week and the 22-year-old, who was not given permission by the Seasiders to play in the FA Cup for the Reds, looks likely to be retained by Terry McPhillips’ side once his Wham Stadium deal expires.

That would create a vacancy in the back four and Coleman is keen on Gibson who has impressed for Newcastle's Under-23s this term.

Any potential move may have to wait until Newcastle Under-23s have played Sunderland in the Checkatrade Trophy with that Tyne-Wear derby scheduled for Tuesday, January 8, and the Magpies keen to field the 21-year-old in that fixture.

"He is someone who is on our radar," Coleman said of Gibson.

The Reds boss has developed a strong relationship with Newcastle having taken Luke Charman and Dan Barlaser on loan from the North East already this term.

Stanley are close to securing a deal for Barlaser until the end of the season, with the midfielder's loan also up next week, while Coleman admitted the futures of his loanees rests with the parent clubs.

He said: "It is all up in the air, we are waiting to hear from the parent clubs on them all. We are trying to keep them all but I don't think we will be successful on that."

On Barlaser he added: "We are negotiating with Newcastle at the moment."