JIM McCLUSKIE returns to Chorley's Victory Park tonight for the first time since leaving under a cloud two and half years ago.

McCluskie was released by new boss Dalton Steele just days after himself being turned down for the manager's position at the club.

Now 'the gaffer' at Rossendale United, McCluskie takes his UniBond First Division side to Chorley for a game both teams will want to win to boost their respective seasons.

Dale lie ninth in the table - a great position for a team just promoted from the North West Counties League - but they have won just once in the last eight league games and are struggling to score goals.

Chorley are 14th and will go to within a point of Dale if they win tonight.

McCluskie left Victory Park in 1999 before joining Rossendale United as a player just months later.

"I was at Chorley for about six months," he said. "I'd had an Achilles injury and went in on the playing side and did a bit of coaching as well.

"Then Bryan Griffiths got the sack and they brought in Dalton Steele. He released a load of players and I was one of them.

"I think he got the job on the Thursday and by the time the game came round on Saturday he had a team full of his own players.

"The club got relegated that season though and haven't been back up since. "

McCluskie applied for the manager's job - he had previously been boss at Accrington Stanley - but lost out to Steele.

"It wasn't a particularly happy time but these things happen in football," he said.

"The people there were fine, I have no gripes with them."

"I went for the manager's job and didn't get it. There was no explanation which was a bit disappointing but I learned a lot from it and it stood me in good stead for the future.

"I can't say much about it really but it taught me a lot.

"It will be the first time I have been back there and it is our local derby now. There's a lot to play for. We need to win."

McCluskie was keen to play down any talk of a 'revenge mission'.

"To be honest there is no resentment or animosity on my part, it's just about Rossendale against Chorley, not me going back there as manager of another team.

"We have made the better start in the league. Chorley have been a bit hit and miss but Ken (Wright) will have them fired up as I will have my players fired up."

Former Burnley player Chris Scott will make his debut for Dale and McCluskie has hinted that he is in the market for another new man up front.

"I am interested in another striker," he said.

"Dave Gray's still out with injury and we are struggling to score goals. I think we are lacking a little bit of pace up front."

Chorley will be looking to continue the form that brought them three points at home to Ossett Town on Saturday.

Top striker Andy Mason got a hat-trick in the 3-1 win.

Rossendale were without a game after their home match against Eastwood was called off due to the weather.