Coleman is the third longest-serving manager in England

Accrington Stanley have moved to secure manager John Coleman and assistant Jimmy Bell on new long-term contracts.

Coleman, who has been in charge at the Crown Ground since 1999, has been linked with the managerial vacancy at Lincoln City.

He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "I've got the contract. It's up to me to sign it.

"It's in the hands of the League Managers Association's solicitors who are having a look at it. I can see nothing wrong with it."

He added: "They'll probably advise me. No doubt they will pick up one or two things in it but, as far as I'm concerned, I'm happy with it."

The 47-year-old, who has secured three promotions in his time with the club, insists that links with the Lincoln job have not had any bearing on talks moving close to a conclusion.

"This isn't a knee-jerk reaction," he said. "I know people are going to say with the interest coming from Lincoln, the club have had their hand forced. That isn't the case.

"It was a case of both parties deciding that it was better that we had a contract, a tangible item that could then be taken away, ratified if needed and then signed.

"Hopefully that signature won't be too far away from getting put to paper and then it can be put to bed."

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