Clarets striker Anthony Shandran is in the second month of his loan spell with third division York City and one former Turf Moor team mate is delighted with his efforts.

Minstermen midfielder Chris Brass was on Burnley's books when Shandran joined the Clarets as a teenager and they are now playing together in an effort to get the cash-strapped club into the play-offs - or even an automatic promotion spot.

"Shandy is doing alright," said Brass this week. "He did ever so well when he first came to us but he has been out for a long time this season and I think it caught up on him a bit.

"He then had a bit of a rest and came back at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night and his display had a big bearing on the result. I really hope he can continue to help us and give us a big shout come the end of the season."

Brass made 134 league appearances for Burnley having joined the club, like Shandran, having been spotted in the north east.

To date Shandran has played just one league game for Burnley but Brass has not ruled out the chance of him returning across the Pennines and still making an impact.

"I knew him when he first came to Burnley," explained Brass. "He has been unfortunate with injuries that have restricted his chances of getting in the first team.

"He came to join us and now it is up to him to show what he can do, not just to Stan but to any other managers who might be interested in him. They will have a chance to have a proper look at him.

"He might feel he has got a point to prove and he has started well with two goals in five games.

"He has been working ever so hard in training and he knows that he suffered from not having a proper pre-season after his injury. He could have done with a proper one under his belt.

"But what he has got is pace and strength and a good understanding of what he is good at. He is doing well and working hard on all aspects of his game.

"I think he will do well in league football and, who knows, he could still end up going back to Burnley and becoming a superstar. The important thing is he is playing league football and there is a big difference to playing for the reserves. Reserve football can be a little false.

"His time with us at York will help him find out whether he can make it or he can't."

At times this season the big question has been whether Brass's club would be able to make it to the end of the week, never mind season, and the 27-year-old admitted it has been a stressful time.

But amid the financial problems, the results have kept York in and around the top seven and he said: "Personally things have been going very well. A lot of things have been happening off the pitch but on it I have enjoyed myself.

"We have a team that has taken two years to build but it is a young squad that is capable of getting out of this division."

While his main concern is life at Bootham Crescent, Turf Moor is never far from his thoughts as he said: "I had a long time there. I think they still have a chance of the play-offs if they have a good run and they have shown this season the quality of player they have got.

"They have not had a consistent side due to injuries but the cup runs have shown what they are capable of.

"And when you look at what is happening at a club like Derby County, it is just great that the club is established in the first division."

Whether Shandran will have a future at that level remains to be seen, Brass just hopes he can fire the goals that get York into Division Two.