NEIL Moore headed for Lincoln City today determined to hang on to his first-team shirt.

Ally Pickering was breathing down Moore's neck for a place in the Clarets' line-up at Sincil Bank after proving his recovery from an ankle injury in Burnley's mid-week practice match against Nottingham Forest.

But Moore may have done enough on his comeback at Millwall last Saturday to keep Pickering waiting for a return.

"If you come back at the right time you can force your way into the team.

"Unfortunately for Ally he is injured but I have been out for four months and somebody else has taken my place so I've been able to step in there and see how it goes.

"I'm in charge of the shirt now and it's up to the manager," said Moore.

The former Clarets' captain has started just-half-a-dozen games this season because of a knee cartilage injury he sustained at the end of August.

He admitted that there had been low points during his time on the sidelines - notably Burnley's crushing 4-1 derby defeat Preston North End in November.

But Moore insisted: "You have just got to keep yourself going. It's just unfortunate, one of those things.

"It happens to all of us but I am lucky that I've come back, well perhaps not so much lucky but it hasn't been as long as say Paul Weller or Paul Smith.

"I have just got to get on with it. The second half of the season has just started so I have just got to crack on and hope that I'm part of that team until the end of the season." Moore started the campaign on the bench and in his fleeting appearances before injury didn't play in the central defensive position he made his own under Chris Waddle.

The former Everton defender played at right-back and even filled in in midfield as Stan Ternent tried to get the best out of the limited resources at his disposal at the time.

But it is in the full-back position he occupied successfully at Millwall that Moore would appear to have the best chance of staking a claim for an extended run in the side.

And he admitted that role would suit him.

"I like it at full-back because I think you see more of the ball," Moore added. "At the minute you've got Brian and Steve playing in the middle. To be fair Steve has come in and been fantastic and so has Brian.

"Those two look really strong so I'm not bothered about getting forced wide as long as I've got a shirt, plus the fact that you see quite a bit more of the ball."

Meanwhile, Oxford United are yet to follow up their interest in midfielder Michael Williams who has returned to Turf Moor after a trial spell at the Manor Ground.

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