IN football there is no doubt that patience is a virtue - and I am not talking about fans booing their team!

Take the story of Mark McGregor's season. He moved to Turf Moor from Wrexham last summer in order to add competition to the squad and it was immediately assumed that Dean West's right back berth was up for grabs.

If Stan Ternent hoped to see West respond in the right manner then he will have been delighted because he has been one of the most consistent performers all season.

And that is why McGregor has needed the patience of a saint as he has been left to bide his time and wait for his chance.

When you have been a virtual ever present at one club to suddenly become a regular reserve at another has to be hard work.

McGregor did make his debut just three games into the season but, even though he got his name on the scoresheet, the 3-2 defeat at home to Rushden and Diamonds was a performance no one at the club particularly wanted to remember.

And so the long wait started. Team sheet after team sheet was pinned up on the wall and McGregor's name was notable only for its absence.

He was handed the captain's armband for the second string where he often featured as a centre half.

On odd occasions he would even find himself on the sub's bench but there was still to be no introduction to serious first team action.

Then, on the last weekend where a fifth caution would result in a ban, West gets booked for a foul at Crewe, six minutes from time.

After a run of 20 games without getting his fifth yellow card West immediately knew he would miss the match at County and a window of opportunity was finally flung open for McGregor.

But even then there must have been a doubt about whether he would get the nod. Would the manager opt for three at the back or could fit again Mitchell Thomas come in ahead of him?

Neither happened and it was his name that was at last on the sheet.

Now all he needed to do was to show the travelling fans that he is not an invisible man but a player capable of helping Burnley's promotion push.

As he looks back on his debut it can be with satisfaction at a job well done.

From the early stages when his cross should have been headed in by Gareth Taylor he did all that can be expected of him.

But the player must still be prepared for disappointment as he gets ready to check the next team sheet that will be posted by Ternent ahead of Sunday's derby game as West is again available.