MICKEY Phelan believes Burnley can transform Luke Chadwick from a rough diamond into a priceless signing.

Former Clarets defender Phelan, now first team coach at Manchester United, still sees Chadwick as a potential future Old Trafford star.

And he reckons a spell with Stan Ternent will be the perfect pick-me-up for a player struggling to break through into the Reds first team.

Phelan said: "Luke is a very exciting talent who has the ability to dribble and take defenders on.

"He been a squad member at Manchester United for a good number of years and he is more than capable of showing his talents in the first division as he proved at Reading last year.

"He has learnt his trade at United and he still has a few rough edges that he needs to polish off.

"But he is only going to get that through playing football, making mistakes and learning from them."

Chadwick confided in Phelan when sounding out the Clarets following Ternent's initial approach earlier this week.

And providing notoriously expectant fans give the United winger and his former stablemate, Lee Roche, time to bed in at Turf Moor, Phelan reckons both players can spark a successful season.

He added: "When I spoke to Lee he was very enthusiastic about Burnley. He was well aware of my links with the club and we had a good chat about the facilities and the set-up.

"He knows a little bit about the tradition, history and expectation of the club and when Stan approached him, he clearly liked what he heard.

"Obviously, Lee played at Turf Moor last season and he saw the passion that exists there.

"But just because Luke and Lee have come from Manchester United, the Burnley fans shouldn't expect the finished article.

"They have certain talents, but they don't have everything and one of the main things they need is experience.

"Stan will give them that and it could be to Burnley's benefit. They are going to grow up and mature by playing football matches for a club that is looking for talent to take up that challenge."