FORMER Padiham professional Mark Harvey is set to throw his weight behind Burnley's Lancashire League title this summer.

Harvey, who has led Padiham to two successive Jennings Ribblesdale League titles in the last two seasons, has contacted Burnley skipper Andy McLeod to offer his services.

And the Turf Moor club are hoping to include him in their opening league game against Bacup this weekend.

"I don't know if Mark is going to be playing all season but he has said he will certainly start the season with us," said McLeod.

Harvey recently rejected the chance to re-sign professional forms with Padiham for a fourth successive season because a shake-up in the County Second XI championship meant the Lancashire player would be unavailable on Sundays.

But McLeod is happy to call on the player if and when he is not tied up with County commitments.

"If he has to play for Lancashire then, obviously, he has to play.

"But I'm willing to use him for the other games."

Lancashire League chairman, Bert Hanson, has confirmed Harvey can play as an amateur under the league's rules on County contracted players.

However, Harvey would immediately become ineligible if Lancashire decide to loan him out as a sub-professional at any point during course of the season.