RAMSBOTTOM manager Andy Grimshaw has handed Doni Clarke a footballing lifeline - and the young star intends to re-pay him by saving the Rams from relegation.

Rawtenstall-born Clarke, son of the Rams' joint manager Jimmy, was released by Huddersfield Town just weeks ago due to financial constraints at the struggling Second Division side.

So the 20-year-old has linked up with his dad at the Riverside - and starred in their biggest win of the season so far, the 7-0 thrashing of Flixton last week.

"Doni was unlucky not to be playing in the first team at Huddersfield and none of the other pros there could believe he was being released but that is football at the moment," said Grimshaw.

"He says he will stay with us until the end of the season because he wants us to get out of the relegation fight.

"But I think he will definitely get at least a Conference club next season."

Clarke is an attacking midfielder who Grimshaw says gives the team an extra dimension, getting behind the front two.

"And he is just so enthusiastic," he said. "And that attitude spreads to the rest of the team."

Ramsbottom are at home to Congleton tomorrow in NWCL Division One. "I am not getting carried away just because of last week. We have some tough games coming up," said Grimshaw.

Top scorer Russell Brierley, who bagged four last week, starts a 56-game ban imposed for amassing a number of bookings and sendings off this season.