FORMER Blackburn Rovers defender Keith Hill has joined Chorley.

The 34-year-old is set to make his Magpies debut against Lancaster City in the UniBond League President's Cup first round at Victory Park tomorrow.

Chorley manager Mark Patterson, who was briefly a member of the same Rovers squad as Hill in the late 1980s, said: 'Keith was at Morecambe last year and is still training with them but I hope he can get a few games in for us."

After leaving Blackburn Hill played for Plymouth, Rochdale and Cheltenham Town before joining the Conference club last season.

As well as being boosted by a 2-1 league win over Bishop Auckland last weekend, Patterson was also delighted to secure the permanent signatures of two squad members this week.

Bucking the trend of players leaving Chorley since the manager joined two months ago, David Eatock and Jamie Vermiglio have signed contracts until the end of next season.

Patterson said: "Jamie is a good player with a great engine on him and with a good voice and good coaching behind him, he will grow into a very good acquisition.

"I've said for weeks that David Eatock is going nowhere so it's good to get him until the end of next season."

Although the President's Cup isn't a priority in the grand scheme of Chorley's season, Patterson is still keen on taking the game seriously.

He added: "We will be putting our strongest team out and we are there to win the game, simple as that."

Hill is likely to replace Andy Woodward, who is still a few weeks off full match fitness while Ian Leather is still unavailable following his father's car accident.

Danny Queeley is in line for his first start after being promoted to the first team from the reserves and then impressing as a sub against Bishop Auckland.

Patterson said: "He came off the bench and looked the part. I think he is worthy of his place in the first team squad now and I'm delighted to have him on board."