TRIALIST Arthur Gnohere entertained the Burnley fans last night while trying to earn himself a contract at Turf Moor.
The 22-year-old French defender, who is from the Ivory Coast, came on as one of 11 substitutes used by Burnley boss Stan Ternent in the 1-0 loss to Premier side Everton.
Gnohere, who currently plays for French Second Division side Caen, showed plenty of confidence in defence making him an instant crowd hit with a battling and sometimes eccentric performance.
And he showed his value at the other end, too, almost getting on the end of Paul Cook's far post cross. He scored twice for Caen in the 28 games he played last season.
"He has done quite well especially considering he has only been with the lads for two days," said the boss.
"He's only 22 and his agent says he is available on a Bosman-ish type deal. I'm not quite sure what that means!
"He didn't know which way we were playing or anything but, if you look at him, he's quite strong in the air, he's got a good balance on his left side and he's very, very quick, so we shall see."
Gnohere was one surprise addition to the team sheet but new boy Dimitri Papadopoulos got the chance to make his Turf Moor debut as expected after signing in a £500,000 deal last week.
And Ternent, and the fans, seemed pleased with what they saw of the Greek Under 21 international striker who had a real battle with Portuguese international Abel Xavier -- coming off the best on a number of occasions.
"Dimitri's got great enthusiasm for the game, he has electrifying pace and he scores goals if he's given the opportunity," said Ternent.
"He doesn't speak very much English but neither did Nik (Michopoulos) when he came so that will soon turn round.
"They all go for their coffee and water -- I think that is what they have -- in Prestwich together and Nik will have an influence on him settling in."
Meanwhile, Burnley fans also got their first opportunity to have a look at the two trialists who featured in a number of the games in the Isle of Man.
Both left winger Alan Moore, released from Middlesbrough, and Paul Hughes, freed from Southampton, had another chance to try and win themselves contracts at Turf Moor.
"I thought Alan Moore did quite well as did Hughesy," said Ternent.
"They certainly didn't look out of place and they were playing against a Premiership side but I'll see where I am up to.
"I need to see them a little more.
"I do also have one or two other irons in the fire and if they became available then we would see."
Overall, though, the manager had no complaints about the result or any of the performances.
"The object of the exercise was to put on a good show and get some fitness. We would have liked to have won, as we don't like losing, but we didn't.
"But it was an excellent work out and I used a lot of players so it was well worth it.
"I am delighted Walter decided to bring his side over. It is fantastic for the fans. They can see the Premiership teams and internationals and the standards we hope one day to attain."
Everton boss Walter Smith kept Paul Gascoigne under wraps for last night's game even though the former England midfielder is coming back to fitness.
"He didn't play any of the games in the second half of last season so he is still a way off at the moment," confirmed the Everton boss.
BURNLEY youth side are playing Padiham reserves at Gawthorpe tonight kick off 7pm.
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