ON any other Sunday the debut of a player who once cost £3million would have been the big news at Turf Moor - but yesterday was no ordinary Sunday.

And as Paul Gascoigne made his triumphant appearance David Johnson was with his new team mates in the dressing room, getting ready to resurrect his own career.

"Paul Gascoigne can take all the limelight," he admitted after the derby clash with Preston as he reflected on a job very well done. He had a hand in one goal, scored another and generally frightened the Preston defence to death, especially in the first half.

"I have come here to try and earn a contract and obviously I would like to stay," said the 25-year-old who has seen his career stall following his big money move from Ipswich to Nottingham Forest.

But the celebration of his goal, running into the arms of manager Stan Ternent, showed his desire and he believes that being reunited with the man who helped make his name at Bury can get him going again.

"My main reason for coming here was because of the manager," he said as he reflected on a thrilling Lancashire derby.

"The atmosphere was brilliant from start to finish and I really enjoyed it. I guess it was a dream debut because everything went really well.

"Now we need to get four more wins to make certain of getting into the play-offs."

Johnson visibly tired towards the end but his job was already well done by the time he made way for Paul Cook 18 minutes from time.

It is only two years ago that he was the first division's top striker as he helped Ipswich Town gain promotion and he clearly feels he can do the same for Burnley.

"There is no outstanding team up there at the moment so anyone could do it," he said.

Now Johnson can look forward to his second game on Wednesday night when he will be teaming up with the other new man at Turf Moor. There is every chance he will enjoy playing with Gazza!

"IT went really well and in the first half we really took the game to them. We had our game plan to get between the two centre halves and it worked, we could have been 4-0 up

"It was an excellent game and the onus was on them because they were behind us, they had to come here and win.

"I had not played since Sheffield Wednesday ten days ago so I got a bit of cramp in both legs. But there was no point in carrying on with the good players we have got on the bench."