FORMER Clarets defender Chris Scott won't get the chance to play against his old side Leigh RMI in the Lancashire Marsden Trophy tonight - he is cup tied after playing just minutes in an earlier match.

The 21-year-old, who lives in Westholme, signed for Rossendale United last month and made his debut in the UniBond First Division match at Chorley, where the side recorded a 2-0 victory that signalled the end of a run of only two wins in 13 matches.

And since then the side has had five straight wins, shooting them back up the table to fourth and landing them the club of the month award for December.

"I have told Jim (McCluskie) that it is no coincidence that we have started winning since I signed," joked Scott.

"But seriously, the lads have been playing really well and I am slowly but surely getting used to the UniBond First Division. You don't get as much time on the ball, the standard's pretty good, and I am enjoying it.

"It would have been nice to play tonight, especially as I only played about 30 seconds against Chorley!"

Even though Scott cannot play, he will make the trip to Hilton Park to see his new side take on the cash-strapped Conference club.

"It will be good to see some old friends, I still keep in contact with some people there," he said.

"It is sad to see them going through financial problems because they are such a good bunch of lads and a friendly club. It is just a shame about their crowds because everyone round there is a rugby fan.

"They are in the bottom four of the Conference and staying in that division will be their priority.

"The league is our priority too but this game will be tough for Leigh. They are two leagues above us but they can blow hot and cold and at the moment they are blowing very cold!

"It will be a test for us as well to see how we stand up to playing a Conference side."

Leigh were thrashed 5-0 by Southport on Saturday and Dale manager Jim McCluskie said his side feared a backlash.

"It will be a good test for us. We played them this time last season and only lost 1-0 in a tight game and I think I have a much better side now than I did then," he said.

"We might get a bit of a backlash from Saturday but to be honest I am just looking forward to getting a game."

Dale haven't played since Boxing Day when they beat Radcliffe Borough 3-1 and McCluskie is likely to stick with the same side minus the cup-tied Scott.

His other imports from Leigh, Ricky Harris, Troy Hayder and Lee Fitzpatrick, are not cup-tied.

"This is the last cup competition we are involved in and we want to do well in it," said McCluskie. "But the league is our priority."

In the other Marsden Trophy games tonight, there is a big local derby at Shawbridge when First Division title hopefuls Clitheroe play host to Brent Peter's Bacup while Ramsbottom make the trip to Atherton LR.

And in the Worthington Challenge Trophy quarter-finals, Denis Underwood's Great Harwood will be aiming to reach the semi-finals but face a tough test when the welcome Division One high flyers Kidsgrove to the Showground.