DAMIAN Matthew left with the Burnley squad for Northern Ireland today determined to grab the chance that Adrian Heath has given him to kick-start a career that seemed to be flagging.

And the former Chelsea and Crystal Palace midfielder's hunger for success was welcomed by the Burnley boss as typifying the sort of competitive spirit and desire he wants to see in his reshaped squad.

Matthew has tasted life at the top and wants to experience it again.

His career seemed to be going nowhere until Burnley stepped in.

Now the omens look good and he aims to make the most of a new lease of life.

"I got into Chelsea's first team when I was only 19, had a run and then broke a bone in my foot and that put me out for a long time," he explained.

"Then at Crystal Palace, there was a lot of pressure on Alan Smith and it was hard to get a regular place.

"But I have played at a high standard. I was in the England under-21 squad with players like Alan Shearer and Lee Sharpe.

"You have to have the desire to get to where you want to be in this game and I have that desire."

Burnley boss Heath was delighted with the attitude of the new man who has just completed his first week's training with the Turf Moor squad. Assistant manager John Ward was the link with Matthew, who played for him at Bristol Rovers.

Heath said: "John knows him better than me but that's what we are looking for.

"We want people to come in who want to progress and do well.

"It's a bit of a criticism but too often last season the team picked itself and that's not a good situation.

"You need people who want to do well not only for themselves but also for the club."

The tour of Northern Ireland begins tonight with a game against Coleraine (kick-off 7pm).

There won't be much time off for the players as the matches come thick and fast. On Monday Ards (7-30pm) are the opposition, the following night it's Glenavon (7-30pm) and on Thursday Glentoran (7-30pm). The tour is completed with a fixture against Crusaders next Saturday (12 noon).

Burnley will send an under-19 side to the second Leicester international football tournament next weekend. Among the other clubs are Vitesse Arnhem (Holland), Aberdeen, Barnsley and Preston.

Haslingden have entered teams at under-10 and under-14 level.

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