FORMER Burnley defender Chris Scott has joined Rossendale United.

The 21-year-old has been the victim of a cost-cutting exercise at Conference side Leigh RMI and it is a major coup for the UniBond First Division club.

Former Burnley player Dave Miller, who is now assistant boss at Leigh, alerted Dale manager Jim McCluskie to Scott's availability and the player signed without hesitation.

"I just want to play football," he said. "I played against Rossendale in pre-season and it seems like a good set-up. Jim (McCluskie) is a nice bloke and they didn't kick lumps out of us which is a good sign because that is what normally happens against teams at that level!

"Dave (Miller) told me they were interested and I know he wouldn't recommend a club that wasn't suitable so I am really looking forward to it."

Scott, who made the majority of his appearances for Burnley at right back, is likely to partner veteran defender Colin Greenall in the centre of defence for Dale.

"I think Jim is looking to play me more centrally and it will be nice to play with Colin. I played against him when I was at Burnley and he was at Wigan so I know he is a quality defender."

Scott, who lives in Westholme, broke into the Burnley side as an 18-year-old just after Stan Ternent joined the club.

"I played about 15 or 20 games the season after Stan took over," he said. "But then I got ill and they couldn't find out what was wrong with me.

"I had to have my tonsils out in the end but by the time I was fit again the side had been promoted to the First Division and loads of new players had been signed.

"I found myself way down in the pecking order. I can't argue with Stan's decision to let me go but it was disappointing, obviously."

Dale manager Jim McCluskie was obviously delighted with his new acquisition. He said:

"Chris played against us in pre-season and I was very impressed but I never thought I would have the opportunity to sign him," said McCluskie.

"But that's football. A few weeks ago we were struggling to put a team out, now we have a lot of players competing for places."

Scott could go straight into the side to play Eastwood Town in the UniBond First Division match at Dark Lane tomorrow.

He said he was raring to get stuck into the UniBond League, a level he has never played at before.

GOALKEEPER Mark Andrews will make his comeback from injury in the charity match against a celebrity all-star side this Sunday at Dark Lane.

Stars from Coronation Street, Brookside and Hollyoaks will be making guest appearances.

The match has been organised to raise money for injured players Steve Bird and John Borland, who have been struggling to work since picking up long-term injuries.

Tickets cost just £5, which includes food and entertainment after the match.