Colby Bishop

19/20 Games/Goals: 7/4

It’s been quite the whirlwind few months for Bishop, who had to join pre-season late due to seeing out his notice as a P.E. teacher at his local high school.

With Billy Kee out for the foreseeable future due to personal issues, Stanley threw the summer signing in at the deep end, and it’s safe to say he’s certainly repaying their faith.

Bought from non-league Leamington Spa in the summer for a minimal fee, Bishop has already hit four goals in his first seven games (his first coming against Sunderland in the League Cup last month) and seems to have adapted to life in the third tier with consummate ease.

Still only 22-years-old, Bishop was part of Notts County’s youth squad as a teenager but struggled to break into Paul Hart’s plans, eventually dropping down into non-league football where he scored over a third of Leamington Spa’s goals last term before his move to Accrington.

Jordan Clark

18/19 Games/Goals: 6/1

With Sean McConville out of Saturday’s game due to suspension, Stanley will be looking to right winger Jordan Clark to provide a creative spark.

Into his third year at the Wham Stadium, the former Shrewsbury Town winger has gradually grown into one of John Coleman’s star men.

He had an outstanding campaign last year that resulted in five goals and six assists from the winger, and he has started this season in similarly good form.

He notched a superb solo goal in last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Bristol Rovers (which can be watched below around twenty seconds in) and will be on the lookout to cause damage for Sunderland’s left hand side.

Ross Sykes

18/19 Games/Goals: 7/0

The emergence of Sykes has been a source of genuine excitement for Accy fans, with the young defender growing into a key player at the Wham Stadium over the last year.

There was rumours that, with Sykes’ contract running out, Jack Ross was considering a move last January, but instead opted to bring in Burnley youngster Jimmy Dunne on loan.

The tall defender received the man of the match award for Stanley for his display in our League Cup clash earlier in the season and seems to continuously improve game on game, which surely impresses any would-be suitors.

Still just 20-years-old, Sykes developed into a first-team regular at the Wham Stadium last season, forming a solid partnership with the experienced Mark Hughes at the heart of Stanley’s defence and will be key to keeping out Sunderland’s strike force this afternoon.

Photo by James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images