GARRY Flitcroft is confident that Aaron Burns can spearhead Chorley’s promotion challenge as the striker bids to build on a debut goal when the Magpies travel to Bradford Park Avenue tonight.

Burns found the net only six minutes into his first appearance for the club on Saturday, when Chorley won 4-1 at home to Gainsborough Trinity in Conference North to keep them firmly in play-off contention.

The 27-year-old former Manchester United trainee made the step up from Evo-Stik Premier Division side Nantwich Town last week after scoring prolifically for the Cheshire club and will play his second game for the Magpies tonight provided the game beats the weather. There is a pitch inspection at 2.45pm today.

Flitcroft said: “He’s always going to score goals if you put the ball in the box for him.

“When I signed him last week you’ve only look at his record over the last four years, it’s outstanding.

“He deserves his chance, he’s a lad who works hard and I know he wants to progress here so he’s going to be a great addition to our squad.

“I was looking at getting him in last year but he didn’t want to leave Nantwich. Finally I’ve got him.

“It wasn’t about money with him.

“He wanted to come here because he wants to test himself at Conference North level and I only had to look at him in one training session to see what quality he’s got and know that he will do well in this league.”

Chorley have also brought in former Macclesfield and Rochdale defender Matthew Flynn, who could prove a timely addition with Tom Smyth joining the Magpies’ injury list after being stretchered off against Hednesford 11 days ago.

“I thought Flynny did well on Saturday too,” Flitcroft said.

“We’ve got a lot of injuries but they’re both lads who have got good experience and that’s the reason I’ve signed them as well. Matt Flynn never stopped talking all day and organising.

“That’s what you want, a leader in your back line. You can’t have enough winners in your team.”

Paul Jarvis and Jake Cottrell may be ready to return from injury tonight, and Flitcroft wants his side to make the most of several games in hand they have on their rivals in the chase for the play-offs.

“We’ve got a great platform now to go on with our games in hand,” said the manager.

“We need to get a few injuries back but the squad’s strong and they know we want to get promotion this year, whether it be automatic or through the play-offs.

“We’ve had a good season so far, people get down about two defeats we had recently but we don’t get downbeat, the major thing is that everyone sticks together.”