FORGOTTEN man Ian Helliwell has pleaded with Chris Waddle for a first team chance.

The veteran striker has suffered a nightmare spell at Turf Moor - including two knee operations - and has only played in three league games since arriving from Stockport County for £25,000 just days before Jimmy Mullen was sacked in February 1996.

But the towering centre-forward is hoping Waddle's arrival could still spell a change of fortunes for the 34-year-old.

"I signed for Burnley on the Wednesday, I made my debut on the Saturday and the manager, Jimmy Mullen, was sacked on the Monday," recalled Helliwell.

"It probably reflects the frustration I've had here since. It has been one thing after another.

"It is incredibly frustrating as a footballer when you see other people getting picked ahead of you.

"I would just love to get an opportunity to prove myself to Chris Waddle and the Burnley fans. I know I can still get goals and I would give it my best shot if the manager decided to call on me.

"If I didn't believe that then I may as well hang up my boots."

Helliwell is now back to full fitness and impressed Waddle in Wednesday's second string fixture at Rotherham. "I thought I did okay at Rotherham in the reserves and the manager made some kind remarks about my performance afterwards," he added.

"But you do wonder whether the writing is on the wall when you see untried youngsters getting in ahead of you when the side has not made the best start to the season."

Helliwell never wore a first team shirt during Adrian Heath's 15-month tenure at Turf Moor.

And his prospects of breaking into Waddle's first team selection plans still appear slim with Paul Barnes, Andy Cooke, loan man Andy Kiwomya and Ian Duerden all currently battling for places.

"I know Adrian Heath didn't fancy me as a player simply because he didn't want to play with a tall target man," he added. "But I thought my fortunes had changed when Chris Waddle included me on the pre-season tour to Northern Ireland.

"When the gaffer took me out to Ireland in the 18-man party I felt really fit and hungry.

"Unfortunately, I aggravated a calf injury on the tour and that put me out for a month.

"I just couldn't believe it when that happened because the manager was short of options for the Watford game and I might have got a chance.

"I will just keep plugging away because nothing would please me more than to get back into the first team and score goals for Burnley."

Waddle will decide the future of Australian trialist Mark Robertson in the next few days. The Aussie midfielder has been on trial at Turf Moor for the past few days.

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