Fleetwood are attempting to complete the loan signing of a player, which, if it comes off, would be an 'exciting' capture for the club.

And Mellon has been in talks to bolster his backroom staff by appointing a new goalkeeping coach.

The new manager has made a favourable impact at Highbury since replacing Tony Greenwood, and the latest test of the progress he has made will be provided by Stalybridge.

Mellon is steadfastly refusing to draw any sort of positive conclusions from Stalybridge's home FA Cup demise at the hands of Durham City when they lost 6-1 – their worst defeat in 20 years.

In fact, such a home humiliation could serve galvanise Stalybridge, according to Mellon, and make them all the more determined to put such a shocking loss behind them.

The Fleetwood boss said: "It is probably the worst possible time to be facing them, because their manager will be looking for a reaction.

"I am taking no notice of that result, except to say that it will probably make it more difficult for us.

"In any case, Stalybridge are fourth in the league – and the table does not lie."

Fleetwood resume league action after the defeat in midweek, 3-2 at the hands of Barrow in the Setanta Shield, Mellon's first reverse as manager and a game in which the visitors played much of the tie with 10-men after the sending-off of Ricky Mercer.

Mellon said: "Though we lost, I was delighted with the performance at Barrow – we played with the kind of tempo and control that I have been looking for, and we 'won' the second half 1-0."

Mellon refused to go into details over the player he was trying to get on board on loan, but said: "If we can manage to complete the deal, then it will be a very exciting signing for the club."

Fleetwood are hoping to have Mark Peers available again shortly after injury.