STEVE Flitcroft feared he may never feature in Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman's plans again.

But now the midfielder is eager to nail down a first team place on the back of a successful loan spell at Barrow.

The 23-year-old started his first game of the season for Stanley in their LDV Vans Trophy trip to Oldham last week.

He performed well enough to keep his place in Saturday's Conference clash with Exeter City at the Interlink Express Stadium.

And Flitcroft hopes that pattern will continue for the rest of the campaign.

"We're a quarter of the way through the season and this is the first chance I've had, so I want to play well and try to hold down a regular first team spot," he said.

"I wasn't happy about going out on loan because the season hadn't even started.

"I hadn't been given a chance, even though I thought I'd done all right in pre-season.

"But it was probably the best thing for me rather than play in the reserves, and the manager said it would be good for my match fitness and he would recall me if there were any injuries."

Flitcroft, brother of Blackburn Rovers midfielder Garry and Bury's David, impressed in his 12 appearances for Conference North side Barrow, scoring in their 1-0 win over Bradford Park Avenue.

So much so that Bluebirds manager Dave Staunton wanted to make him a permanent addition to the squad.

But Flitcroft wasn't ready to give up on his professional career with Stanley.

"I thought I hadn't given things a proper go at Accrington so I turned them down," explained Flitcroft.

"I got a bit down when I came back because I wasn't involved at all. But I just kept trying to work hard in training."

Now with two consecutive games under his belt, he believes he made the right decision after starring in last Tuesday's LDV Vans Trophy clash at Boundary Park.

And Flitcroft, a product of Blackburn Rovers Academy, is eager to help Stanley turn their Conference season around.

"We were unlucky to lose at Oldham but we can put all our concentration on the league now," he said.

"It's a shame we're not still involved in the FA Cup because last year it got us rolling on and winning in the league as well.

"We're just desperate to get a win in the Conference now."

He added: "I think I've done all right in the last two games.

"The last 10 minutes have been quite tiring because I've not played for a month.

"But I've just got to play well now the manager has given me a chance."