Thursday 23 October 2014 19:03, UK
Accrington have granted striker Kal Naismith a leave of absence following the sudden death of his girlfriend.
Naismith's 22-year-old girlfriend Ashley Dickson died in Scotland last week and the Stanley striker has returned north of the border to be with friends and family. Accrington manager John Coleman has told Naismith, who has missed the club's last two games, to take as much time off as he requires. "All the lads feel for Kal and it was one of my saddest days in football when he told me," Coleman said. "You can have every qualification under the sun in football but nothing prepares you for days like that. "Kal can take as much time as he needs; he needs time to grieve. Sometimes it can take two days, sometimes it can take two years as it's down to the individual. "We can't rush him and we all respect what he is going through - it's so difficult. "Kal is a smashing lad, he's great to have around the place, he is really popular and a good footballer but you never know how people deal with things like this. "I have been onto the PFA (Professional Footballers Association) about getting some counselling for him, if he needs it. "It is just a case of wait and see though and how he responds; we will give him all the time he needs."
