BURNLEY defender Richard Eckersley will spend the next nine months on loan at Canadian side Toronto FC.

Eckersley has been recalled from his loan spell at League Two side Bury in order to link up once more with former England international Paul Mariner.

Mariner is the director of player development at Toronto, who joined the MLS in 2007, having previously taken Eckersley on loan at Plymouth last season.

The 22-year-old will remain with Toronto until January.