RORY Prendergast admits he would struggle to get back into Accrington Stanley's first team if he was to return to the Interlink Express Stadium.

The impressive former York City winger fulfilled his ambition to play in the Football League once more when he was snapped up by League One side Blackpool as Colin Hendry's third summer signing.

But he has failed to nail down a first team place since Simon Grayson took charge following Hendry's controversial exit from Bloomfield Road, and is currently on loan at Halifax Town until January.

Prendergast admitted he is looking forward to locking horns with his ex team-mates when Stanley take on the Shaymen on Boxing Day.

And he is impressed with the way his former employers have shot to the top of the Nationwide Conference table.

"There would have been no point trying to go back to Accrington on loan because I would have just been sat on the bench," said the 27-year-old. "I wouldn't have got a game.

"At my age I need to be playing every week, and that's the main reason why I jumped at the chance to go on loan.

"There aren't many players familiar to me now at Accrington. I noticed for one game there was only Paul Mullin and Robbie Williams I knew in the starting line-up.

"It is all changed at the club in terms of players and they are doing well, but we'll be out to stop them on Monday.

"It will be nice to see some familiar faces. I had three great years for Accrington and made a lot of friends, but I've got to give 110 per cent for Halifax. Although, if I score, my celebration will be genuine but certainly nothing dramatic."

Should Stanley achieve their aim of promotion, Prendergast is more than confident they would cope in the higher leagues.

"There's honestly no difference between the top half of the Conference and the bottom half of League One," he said.

"There is perhaps a little bit more cutting edge, but the pace of the game and the fitness of squads is exactly the same.

"I settled in well at Blackpool - the lads are brilliant and I've enjoyed my football when I've been playing."

Prendergast is due to return to Bloomfield Road when his loan spell runs out at the end of this month.

And he is determined to work hard to get back into Grayson and assistant manager Tony Parkes' first-team plans.

"I have no regrets about joining Blackpool," he said.

"The first game against Chesterfield was such a buzz. Then I scored against Swindon, played in front of 6,000 at Tranmere and got an assist against Scunthorpe when we were live on Sky. Millions of people saw that cross.

"I learnt a lot from Colin and Ian Miller (former Blackpool assistant) and I'm hopeful that I can still play a part for when I go back in January."

Prendergast and his Halifax team-mates could face an unchanged Stanley line-up from their last league outing - a 2-0 win over Kidderminster Harriers.

Steve Jagielka is the only fitness doubt after picking up a knee injury last weekend, but he is hoping to have recovered in time to start on Boxing Day.